Suhakam’s Bersih 3.0 inquiry begins Thursday

June 30, 2012

The purpose of the inquiry is to examine allegations of the excessive use of force by the authorities during and in the immediate aftermath of the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28. — file picKUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — The public inquiry by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) into incidents during and after the Bersih 3.0 gathering will commence on Thursday (July 5).

Suhakam secretary, Rodziah Abdul, said the terms of reference of the public inquiry were to determine whether there were any violations of human rights against any person or party during and after the gathering.

“If violations of human rights did occur, to determine how such violations came about, what administrative directives and procedures, or arrangements contributed to such violations and which person or agency was responsible.

“Apart from that, the commission will recommend measures to be taken to ensure that such violations do not recur,” she said in a statement issued here today.

She said that as of June 21, the commission had examined all public submissions received, which came in the form of documents, statements and video recordings, as well as identified witnesses.

Rodziah said the commission was still waiting for a response from the police with regards to its request to interview the police personnel who were on duty during the gathering.

“The commission’s decision to conduct the Public Inquiry into allegations of the use of excessive force by the authorities during and after the public assembly on April 28, 2012, takes into account its own monitoring of the event and a number of other pertinent factors.

“These include the submission of complaints, reports and memoranda from members of the public, human rights and professional groups, as well as other members of the civil society,” she added.

She said the panel of inquiry would be chaired by the commission’s vice-chairman Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, who would be assisted by commissioners, Professor Datuk Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Abdul Majid and Detta Samen. — Bernama