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Edict frustrated after denial of permission for Black Thursday gathering

Edict frustrated after denial of permission for Black Thursday gathering
Edict frustrated after denial of permission for Black Thursday gathering

Human rights NGO Eliminating Death and Abuse in Custody Together (Edict) has expressed its frustration after receiving a letter from the police yesterday saying that its proposed Black Thursday gathering in remembrance of custodial death victims was in violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the recovery movement control order (MCO).

"On the eve of Hari Hitam Kematian Dalam Tahanan (Black Death Day in Detention), the police sent us a letter informing us that tomorrow's event was an activity that violated the MCO," it said in a tweet late last night.

"However, we have already met with police and they promised to facilitate our programme. Suddenly today, the story is different," claimed Edict.

Edict and Amnesty International had announced their intention to observe Black Thursday at 6.30pm today opposite the Bar Council Building.

It also uploaded a copy of a letter sent by Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Mohd Fahmi Visuvanathan Abdullah acknowledging that the group had informed police on July 6 of their intention to hold the gathering.

The letter states that the application was not complete as Edict had failed to obtain the consent of the owner or occupier of the assembly place as required under Section 11 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

It also added that the gathering does not come under the permitted social gatherings as determined by the National Security Council.