WE refer to news reports yesterday that several participants of the recent protests against rising prices of goods will be charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) today.
By all accounts, the protest in question was orderly and peaceful. It is unacceptable and oppressive for people exercising their fundamental right to peaceful assembly to be prosecuted by the state. It does not matter if the government or anyone else does not agree with the purpose of the protest. The right to assemble and protest must be protected and respected.
