Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail said it would be in contravention of Article 10(1) of the Federal Constitution if the right to freedom of peaceful assembly was curtailed.

His statement comes in the wake of warnings by Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid stopping teachers from participating in the gathering in Kuala Lumpur and other cities and major towns on Saturday.

Today, Chief Secretary to the government Ali Hamsa warned civil servants to stay away from the rally or face pay cuts or the sack, depending on the level of participation.

“Suhakam reiterates that through the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, all Malaysian citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms,” he said.

Razali said while the right to counter-demonstrate also had to be upheld, the police and authorities must ensure that the actions of counter-demonstrators did not degenerate into intimidation and rioting.

“It is therefore incumbent on the police to ensure that all Malaysians are able to articulate their positions and opinions responsibly,” he said.

He said Suhakam supported the efforts of the police to show discipline and evenhanded enforcement of the law.

“That is a hallmark of political maturity,” he said.

Razali said Suhakam would be monitoring the planned assemblies and its complaints division would accept reports from any aggrieved member of the public.