A link shared at J.I.M
Facebook Page on August 17, 2014 at 02:46AM via
IFTTT:
http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/08/15/police-teachers-overreacted-israel-like/
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15, 2014:
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is appalled that a mere Facebook “like” has led police to investigate a 17-year-old student under the Sedition Act.
Its chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, in a press statement today, also blasted the teacher from a school in Penang, who on Aug 10 had taken a screenshot of the boy for ‘liking’ a pro-Israeli Facebook page and uploading it onto the social media without his permission.
This led to threats being issued against the student.
“Suhakam is of the view that the reported sedition probe into the student is an overreaction on the part of the police.
“It is unfortunate to note that the teachers concerned had failed to handle the matter responsibly as educators and instead, created a situation that has violated the basic rights of the student, contrary to the spirit and articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Malaysia is a State Party.”
Hasmy said this particular case was an example of how the act could be misused as the matter could be resolved through other approaches.
He went on to call upon all relevant authorities to weigh their actions accordingly and to use their discretion appropriately in the handling of matters that concerned the social media and the expression of various views and opinions.
Hasmy then urged the Education Ministry to incorporate human rights as part of the school curriculum to better promote respect, understanding and acceptance of the basic rights of all citizens, including those of students.
“We also urge all parties to practice restraint and not to partake in any actions that promote ignorance and hatred,” he said, adding that Malaysians should instead strive to exercise respect and tolerance for one another.
Earlier today, Penang police chief Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi confirmed that the teenager was being probed under Section 41 (1)(c) of the Sedition Act, and not the case as reported yesterday.
Last week, the Form Five student lodged a police report that his life was threatened by teachers and students of his school for having ‘liked’ the page.
The student had also claimed that a female teacher had cut and paste a screenshot of his ‘liking’ on her Facebook account and ridiculed him, leading to one teacher to suggest, albeit jokingly, to burn the student alive.
.JPG)
