Malaysia: three members of KOMAS arrested
Event- Country
- Malaysia
- Initial Date
- Aug 3, 2013
- Event Description
On 3 July 2013 around 8:30pm, Ms. Anna Har, Mr. Arul Prakkash and Ms. Lena Hendry were arrested following the private screening of the film "No Fire Zone, the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka" at the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH). On 4 July 2013, after having recorded their statement, they released on police bail to appear at the Magistrates' Court on 6 August 2013 at 9am. On 12 July 2013, a Joint Allegation Letter was sent to Malaysia by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. No response has been received as of May 2014. On 19 September 2013 the Home Ministry and Attorney General Chamber (AGC) filed a charge against Ms. Lena Hendry under Section 6 of the Film Censorship Act 2002. Judge Ashraf Razal Abdul Manan granted her bail of 1,000 ringgit (about 233 euros), and set the next date for Ms. Hendry to appear in court to 21 October 2013. On 26 September 2013, another JAL was issued by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. No response has been received as of May 2014. On 7 November 2013 Ms. Hendry's lawyers went to Magistrate Court 6, Duta Court Complex, in Kuala Lumpur, but he was informed that the case was postponed as the Presiding Magistrate was on medical leave.
- Impact of Event
- 3
- Violation
- (Arbitrary) Arrest and Detention
- Rights Concerned
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom of association
- Source
- Monitoring Status
- Active
- Event Location
Latitude: 3.13696
Longitude: 101.70242
- Event Location
- Summary for Publications
On 3 July 2013 around 8:30pm, Ms. Anna Har, Mr. Arul Prakkash and Ms. Lena Hendry were arrested following the private screening of the film "No Fire Zone, the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka" at the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH). On 4 July 2013, after having recorded their statement, they were released on police bail to appear at the Magistrates' Court on 6 August 2013. On 12 July 2013, a Joint Allegation Letter(JAL) was sent to Malaysia by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. No response has been received as of May 2014. On 26 September 2013, another JAL was issued by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. No response has been received as of May 2014.