KUALA LUMPUR: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has submitted a memorandum calling for the abolishment of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) this morning.

The memo was handed over by Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy.

He said Suaram was concerned over what it described was rampant use of laws that permit detention without trial to be carried out.

“We want immediate intervention by Suhakam to challenge the ongoing human rights violations caused by the laws,” he said.

Sevan was highlighting two main issues related to the Bersih 5 rally as well as the detention of Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah.

“The rally, which was declared as illegal, was conducted peacefully. No untoward incidents occurred on that day.

“We believe that the actions taken by the police and government were to deter the public from participating in the rally,” he told the press at the Suhakam office.

Sevam urged Suhakam to investigate the allegations of human rights abuse following the detention of Chin.

Meanwhile, Chin, who was present at the event, said the memorandum also recommended that Sosma to be repealed as it conflicts with many principles of human rights and the Federal Constitution.-nst