Suhakam said it was mandated under the Act to exercise any or all of its powers, including monitoring the human rights situation in the country.

“Suhakam’s presence at the recent ‘Keluar’ and ‘#Lawan’ assembly on July 31 was in line with its function, which is to monitor public assemblies,” it said in a statement today.

It said since its inception, its commissioners or officers have never been summoned by police for questioning when monitoring any event.

Suhakam said the action to investigate its commissioners and other human rights defenders, including representatives from the Malaysian Bar Council, for monitoring a peaceful assembly was a regressive move and against the spirit of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

It added that freedom of expression was the right of all Malaysians, protected under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution as well as Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It said the authorities were obligated to respect, allow and even facilitate peaceful assemblies to take place safely and smoothly.

“Suhakam is encouraged by the continued commitment of all human rights defenders in the country, for their resilience and determination in safeguarding human right principles at all times, notwithstanding the challenges faced,” it said.

It reiterated that anyone who expressed their views on human rights should not suffer from fear of intimidation and reprisal, adding that the voices of the people must be heeded.