Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail also emphasised that the country guarantees the sanctity of diplomatic and consular premises.
“Malaysia is obliged to protect the premises of diplomatic missions from intrusion or damage or impairment of its dignity.
“Violent protesters lose their protection under the right to peaceful assembly, and the police shall act against those breaking the law,” he said in a statement today.
Although there was no mention of it, Razali was evidently referring to the rally by 1,500 Rohingya outside the Myanmar embassy in Jalan Ampang Hilir on Wednesday. Police kept them at a safe distance from the embassy.
The event was organised by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) and PAS’ Humanitarian Affairs and Relief Centre (PasRelief).
It began peacefully with the handing over of a memorandum protesting against the abuse and killing of the minority ethnic group in Myanmar.
It ended with police having to arrest 44 individuals for behaving aggressively and refusing to disperse after the memorandum was submitted.
Suhakam said every human being, wherever they are, had the right to freedom of peaceful assembly on the basis of Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
“This right is constitutionally guaranteed for Malaysians in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution,” Razali said.
“The instincts of compassion and hospitality of Malaysia to provide refuge to Rohingya refugees, who have suffered violence, hardship, threats to life and displacement, must also mean that refugees in Malaysia respect and adhere to the laws of the country.”
There are almost 60,000 Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, according to the United Nations.
News agencies reported that fresh fighting broke out in Rakhine state last week between security forces and Rohingya militants after the militants staged raids on police posts.
It said the violence is still raging, and at least 110 people were confirmed dead.
More than 2,600 houses have been burned down in Rohingya-majority areas of Myanmar’s northwest in the last week.
About 58,600 Rohingya have fled into neighbouring Bangladesh from Myanmar, according to the UN.
The treatment of Myanmar’s roughly 1.1 million Rohingya is the biggest challenge facing leader Aung San Suu Kyi, accused by Western critics of not speaking out for the Muslim minority that has long complained of persecution.