Civil Rights Committee, Other Committees, Statements & Announcements, Statements of Committess, Statements- Civil Rights Committee

Make May 13 A Day for Peace, Reason and Freedom

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On this day which the nation experienced its darkest hours 41 years ago, we the undersigned civil society groups call upon the nation to make May 13 a day to cherish peace, reason and freedom.

We hold that

1.  The May 13 ethnic riot was the most unfortunate episode in Malaysia ’s history in which lives were lost and properties destroyed as politics broke down into violence. We offer our thoughts and prayers to the innocent lives lost and consolation to the victims who survived it.

2.   Thankfully, Malaysia has since moved forward as a nation in denouncing political violence. Post-March 8 attempts to trigger ethno-religious tensions and justify authoritarian controls, such as the cow-head protest in August 2009 and the desecration of houses of worship in January 2010, have been resolutely defeated by condemnation coming from Malaysians of all ethno-religious and socio-cultural backgrounds who treasure peace, reason and freedom.

3.   Any attempts to mock or trigger another May 13 – whether to subdue citizens or to seize power – may end in complete political destruction of the culprits. The trials of Liberia ’s Charles Taylor, Chile’s Augusto Pinochet and Ex-Yugoslavian warlords for mass violation of human rights should serve as a stern reminder to anyone contemplating political violence. A society with zero tolerance for political violence and intimidation of any kind is emerging in Malaysia , especially amongst those of the younger generations. We seek peace and harmony, not in fear, but through dialogues and deliberations in the spirit of mutual respect and openness.

4.   While freedom of speech and freedom of assembly for all political persuasions should be celebrated, any attempt to exploit the anniversary of May 13 to glorify political violence or instil fear is disgraceful and should be shunned by the public. In addition, any commemoration of the tragedy involving state funds and resources must be inclusive in both content and target group.

Endorsing Civil Society Groups:

  1. Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)
  2. All Women’s Action Society Malaysia (AWAM)
  3. Amnesty International Malaysia (AIM)
  4. Annexe Gallery
  5. Bahagian Belia, Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Bekas Penuntut Sekolah China W.P. & Selangor
  6. Borneo Research Institute Sarawak (BRIMAS)
  7. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
  8. Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)
  9. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
  10. Centre of Education. Research and Development (CEDAR)
  11. Child Development Initiative
  12. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
  13. Council of Churches of Malaysia Youth (CCM Youth)
  14. Editorial board of Horizon e-journal
  15. Education and Research Association of Consumer, Malaysia
  16. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
  17. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations
  18. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
  19. Friends of Kota Damansara
  20. Frinjan Collective
  21. Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Masyarakat India Selangor
  22. Group of Concerned Citizens
  23. Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)
  24. Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL)
  25. Institut Kajian Dasar (IKD)
  26. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
  27. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)
  28. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
  29. Johor Tamizhar Sangam
  30. Klang Consumer Association
  31. Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section (KLSCAH-YS)
  32. Kuala Lumpur Hindu Youth Organisation (KLHYO)
  33. Kuala Lumpur Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
  34. LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG)
  35. Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia
  36. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram
  37. Malaysia Indian Progressive Educational Society
  38. Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society
  39. Malaysia Tamil Artiste Association
  40. Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam
  41. Malaysia Thanavasiya Association
  42. Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
  43. Malaysian Archagar Sangam
  44. Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
  45. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates
  46. Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association
  47. Malaysian Dravidian Association
  48. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council
  49. Malaysian Indian Business Association
  50. Malaysian Indian Development & Unity Association
  51. Malaysian Indian Development Association
  52. Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
  53. Malaysian Indian Historical Association
  54. Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation
  55. Malaysian Tamil Forum
  56. Melaka Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section
  57. Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section
  58. New Era College Alumni Association
  59. New Era College Student Progressive Front
  60. New Era College Media Studies Society
  61. New Era College Student Union
  62. New Millennium Indian Business Association of Malaysia
  63. Penang Du Zhong Education Society
  64. Penang Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
  65. Penggerak Belia Zon23 MPSJ
  66. People’s Parliament
  67. Persahabatan Semparuthi
  68. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM Selangor & KL
  69. Persatuan Aruloli Mandram , Malaysia
  70. Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
  71. Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara
  72. Persatuan Kebajikan MGR
  73. Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia
  74. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
  75. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
  76. Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)
  77. Persatuan Penduduk Taman Muhibbah
  78. Persatuan Pergabung Tamil Malaysia
  79. Persatuan Seni Rumah Air Panas KL (RAP)
  80. Persatuan Silambam Malaysia
  81. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hare Krishna Klang
  82. Pusat Komunikasi (KOMAS)
  83. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
  84. Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia
  85. Sarawak Central Region Friendship Association
  86. Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)
  87. Sarawak Native Land Rights Owners (TAHABAS)
  88. Sarawakians Access (SACCESS)
  89. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
  90. Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
  91. Straten Malaysia
  92. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
  93. Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Klang
  94. Tamilar Sangam, Teluk Intan
  95. The Micah Mandate (TMM)
  96. Thiruvalluvar Nanneri Mayam Cameron Highlands
  97. Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia
  98. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
  99. World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter
  100. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
  101. Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)

Endorsing Political Parties:

1. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)

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