Six Asian human rights organisations in a joint statement called the crackdown a grave breach of basic rights. "These arrests violate international human rights standards," it said, calling for all those arrested to be freed and all charges dropped. The statement was released by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development, Fortify Rights, Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance. "However, the authorities are instead using it to prevent the exercise of fundamental human rights, constituting an abuse of law," the statement said. 'Horrific abuse of power'The protest was the second in 15 months by Bersih to highlight allegations that billions of dollars were plundered from sovereign fund 1MDB, Najib's pet investment project.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 21, 2016 11:33 UTC