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NGOs condemn attacks on Seksualiti Merdeka
The Seksualiti Merdeka coalition and 15 other non-governmental organisations have condemned Perkasa, Hindu Sangam and PAS Youth's attacks on the festival.
They called upon the state authorities to protect human rights advocates, including those advocating equal treatment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender, inter-sex, and queer (LGBTIQ) community.
"We are deeply concerned about the security of LGBTIQ communities and the activists who have been advocating, for intimidation and harassments against them to cease," the groups said in a joint statement.
The statement’s endorsees include Suaram, Empower, Women’s Aid Organisation, All Women’s Action Society, and Islamic Renaissance Front.
They claimed that sexual minorities are subjected to harassment, threats and violent attacks largely due to the lack of recognition of their rights.
The groups pointed out that the UN Human Rights Council has previously called for states to pass anti-discriminatory legislation that includes sexual orientation, in line with Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The state also has a responsibility, they said, to protect human rights defenders right to develop, discuss and advocate their ideas under Article 7 and Article 12.2 of the UN’s Human Rights Defenders Declaration.
“We believe that everyone in Malaysia deserves to be free from discrimination, harassment and violence regardless of their sexual orientations and their gender identities.
“We believe it is our right to be responsible for our own bodies,” said the NGOs.
They demanded that the authorities:
- Decriminalise homosexuality and protect sexual minorities from harassment.
- Refrain from hate speech and protect the freedom of expression of human rights defenders.
- Ensure the freedom of association of the LGBTIQ, including the right to organise themselves and promote their rights.
Earlier this week, Perkasa, Hindu Sangam, and PAS Youth had all condemned the Seksualiti Merdeka, citing social, religious or moral concerns about promoting homosexuality.
Pembela, a coalition of pro-Islam NGOs, joined in the fray today by issuing a statement condemning Seksualiti Merdeka and calling on the police to stop those who are involved.
The coalition also demanded all office-bearers at the Bar Council and Suhakam to resign for allegedly failing to uphold the law, but “promoting immoral lifestyles and violating the federal constitution” instead.
“Pembela rejects the attempts of liberal, plural, and secular groups who are eager to become a slave to the globalisation agenda and drag Malaysian society into imitating this perverse and disgusting lifestyle,” said Pembela deputy chairperson Aminuddin Yahya.
He claimed that such festivals have a hidden agenda to change Malaysian society’s values and ideals as a nation with Islam as the state religion.
LGBT’s liberal, plural, and secular influences, Aminuddin said, would reduce religion and religious law to a mere matter of an individual’s rituals.
The annual festival is scheduled to start on Nov 9 to support and empower the LGBTIQ community.
It includes talks, workshops and film screenings to help Malaysians understand sexual minorities.
Its co-founder Pang Khee Teik had clarified that the programme’s purpose is not to support homosexual activity.
Deputy inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has declared a blanket ban on all events by the organisers of 'Seksualiti Merdeka'.
Speaking at a press conference at Sungai Besi today, Khalid said the police will clamp down on the programme that was to run from Nov 9 to 13.
"The police is responsible to maintain public order. When there is a threat to public order, then we must take the appropriate action."
The directive comes from the police themselves, added Khalid.
Seksualiti Merdeka is an annual festival celebrating the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity, organised by a loose coalition of NGOs, artistes, activists and individuals since 2008.
The festival’s programme, which includes forums, talks, workshops, book launches, an art exhibition and stage performances, was to be launched by former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan.
It was held without any problems in previous years.
This, Khalid (left) said, was in response to some 28 police reports that have been lodged against Seksualiti Merdeka since yesterday, and he further noted that complaints have been made by several Islamic, Christian and Buddhist groups which have condemned the event and called for action against it.He added that the matter is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 27A(1)(C) of the Police Act.
Section 298A of the Penal Code allows police to take action against anyone who causes disharmony, disunity, feeling of enmity, hatred, ill-will or prejudice or for the maintenance of harmony or unity on the grounds of religion.
Section 27A(1)(C) of the Police Act empowers police to act against any activity that takes place on private premises but is deemed prejudicial to the interest and security of Malaysia or that would excite a disturbance of the peace.
These laws, Khalid said, would also be used in clamping down on any events that Seksualiti Merdeka decides to proceed with.
Police to question festival backers
Asked if police will question the organisers, he responded: “We will begin calling them after this, all of them involved will be called (to give a statement). This will be done immediately because an investigation has begun.”
Khalid also expressed puzzlement for the Bar Council’s backing of Seksualiti Merdeka, advising the body to instead give proper legal advice to the organisers.
“This is what I don’t understand, the Bar Council should advise these NGOs to respect the country’s laws.
“We all know homosexuality is a crime and such events are as if it is promoting and encouraging people to go against the law.”
He warned members of the public, including Ambiga who is slated to officiate the festival's opening on Nov 9, not to participate in any events organised by Seksualiti Merdeka or face police action.
The warning, Khalid said, was a pre-emptive move to prevent any untoward incident occurring.
“This is just a warning... We don’t want anything bad to happen so we are taking early action to ban their activities... but if they insist on proceeding (with their events) then we will take further action.”
Defending the police’s position, Khalid said his force was not against human rights but he must act if these rights went against public interests and public order.
“Any events or activities that is related to Seksualiti Merdeka, we will stop them.
“Anything to do with the rights of lesbians and homosexuals is out (of the question), no way,” he declared.
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