Revise 5 Day Notice Rule For Rallies Says Suaram

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Suaram’s executive director, Sevan Doraisamy, has welcomed the proposed amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, saying they should strengthen the police’s role in facilitating, rather than restricting, assemblies.
PETALING JAYA: Human rights NGO Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has suggested further reforms to the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, calling for the government to introduce clear exemptions to the rule requiring that police be given notice of an assembly five days in advance.
Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said such exemptions are necessary to ensure this requirement does not obstruct assemblies that arise in response to pressing issues.
“International human rights standards recognise that requiring advance notification for all assemblies can unduly restrict fundamental freedoms,” he said in a statement.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government had agreed to amend the PAA to make it easier for the public to hold gatherings, by abolishing Section 11, among others.
Section 11 of the Act requires that rally organisers obtain approval from the owner or occupier of the venue.
Sevan said the removal of this requirement eliminates a “significant bureaucratic barrier that has long allowed authorities to exercise discretionary power to grant or deny permission for assemblies to be held”.
“This proposed amendment not only rightly acknowledges that these spaces belong to the public, but also strengthens the police’s role in facilitating, rather than restricting, assemblies,” he said.
He also called for improvements to the notification process to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic barriers for organisers.
He pointed out that during past assemblies, police rejected notices given in person by organisers on the basis of technicalities such as the non-completion of all questions on the form.
“Suaram calls for a review of the current notification form and procedures to ensure that only essential information required for the police to facilitate assemblies is requested, preventing unnecessary administrative hurdles that undermine the right to assemble peacefully.
“Suaram also urges the government to make the notification form available online and allow digital submissions to reduce logistical barriers for organisers,” he said. - FMT

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