Joint Letter to the Editor

We the undersigned are alarmed at the series of actions undertaken by the authorities and members of the public against the followers of the Sky Kingdom that culminated in the senseless demolition of the premises of the Sky Kingdom on 31 July 2005.

The arrest of Sky Kingdom followers, including women and children, was conducted with no regard to the rights of an individual to liberty and security, and to profess his or her religion and belief. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right that must necessarily recognise the freedom to change one's religion or belief. If there is concern that people are losing their faith in any religion, the response cannot be persecution and violence but compassion and education.

Freedom to profess and practice one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

State authorities must not use or condone unnecessary acts of violence to control its citizens. The Sky Kingdom followers have demonstrated themselves to be peace loving and a peaceful group, despite their houses and personal property being demolished, and their life and security threatened. They are not militant and authorities have not proven that they are a threat to national security.

While there are reports that the attack by masked men on the Sky Kingdom on 18 July 2005 are being investigated by the Terengganu police, there has not been sufficient public condemnation by the authorities of this criminal act on private property or action to ensure the protection of the followers who fear their personal safety.

Furthermore, authorities must not neglect the rights and needs of the children involved. We read reports of Ayah Pin's followers being refused bail, mothers separated from their children, and children being brought into the lock up. A lock up is not a place for children. We understand that children were left behind in the village whilst their parents were detained without bail. The authorities have carelessly overlooked the right of a child not to be separated from their parent against their will. In all actions concerning children that are undertaken by authorities, including administrative and legislative bodies, the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration.

The subsequent destruction of the premises of the Sky Kingdom by the authorities on Sunday 31 July, citing Section 129 of the National Land Code as justification, constitutes an act of state violence and a blatant disregard for human rights principles and the rights of citizens as provided for under the Federal Constitution. In the spirit of our democratic and pluralistic society, we urge the government to:
Protect the right to life, liberty and security for all Malaysians, regardless of faith and belief, however unorthodox they may be;

Actively investigate and prosecute participants of the rampaging mob who attacked the Sky Kingdom premises on 18 July 2005 destroying personal property and left followers fearing their security and safety;

Cease from resorting to labels of deviancy or otherwise in describing the religious practices of individuals;

Meaningfully interpret and articulate an individual's right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, respect the personal choices that these entail and review existing policy and laws pertaining to the same;

Cease the threat of the use of detention without trial laws for all, including followers of unorthodox beliefs;

Consider the necessity of establishing a consultative inter-faith commission with regards to matters pertaining to the meaning, interpretation and articulation of the freedom of thought, conscience and religion;

Respect the diversity of Malaysian society and culture and the myriad differences this gives rise to and recognize that these differences are the fabric of Malaysian society.

Signed by:
The Joint Action Group Against Violence Against Women (JAG) comprising:
Women's Aid Organisation (WAO)
Women's Development Collective (WDC)
Women's Centre for Change (WCC)
All Women's Action Society (AWAM)
Sisters in Islam (SIS)
Malaysian Trade Union Council (MTUC) - Women's Section
National Human Rights Society (HAKAM)
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Council of Churches Malaysia (CCCM)
Pusat Komas
Alaigal
Amnesty International (AI)
Malik Imtiaz
Param Cumaraswamy

Related news:

• 58 followers of Ayah Pin arrested (The Sun)
• News tracker : Ayah Pin | Sky Kingdom from ReligionNewsBlog.com
• The Malaysian Bar Press Statement on The Ayah Pin Saga