KOTA KINABALU: A public assembly is an opportunity for the State to listen to the grievances of the People.
Asias Indigenous Youth Representative to the United Nations Andrew Ambrose or popularly known as Atama Katama, said rallies and assemblies create awareness of real important issues which the people are affected with, and is the right recognized by the United Nations Human Rights Council in resolution 15/21.
The position of civil society is firm regarding this assembly that the people will demand answers which we want from the government. Firstly, the event is a not a rally but a peaceful assembly at Padang Merdaka if we the people are restricted by the authority to hold a peaceful public assembly, it is the position of the State and country that will be jeopardized by failing resolution 15/21. The State will then need to explain why it imposes restrictions that violate human rights, he said when responding to the comment made by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who said rallies were not necessary to carry expression, more so if it has no approval from the relevant authorities.
This assembly is the first action by 50 civil society organizations (CSOs) that decided how it will state the positions of the people.
When the State asks CSOs about their intention of the organizers to proceed with the rally despite not having a venue to convene after their application to use Padang Merdeka was not approved by City Hall, Atama said the Federal Constitution guarantees citizens of their freedom of speech and to assemble peacefully.
Sabahans have the right to organize as many peaceful assemblies or rallies until their voices are heard and issues are solved, he said in a statement yesterday.
“When you violate human rights, as a State of Sabah, you can expect international communities and the United Nations to notice your actions. Community service orgaisations (CSOs) are engaged with various UN processes effectively and are accountable to report violations against the rights of the people. We will take a strong position to defend human rights,” he said after returning from the ASEAN Peoples Forum in Kuala Lumpur.
Organiser, Bersih Sabah claimed so far 50 organizations had endorsed the peoples demands and agreed to take part in the rally on May 1.
I personally recommend that Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan address the 10,000 expected to attend the assembly at Padang Merdeka and explain his RCI-Task Force, added Atama.