The groups also condemned the “high-handedness” by police against the participants.
In a statement, electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 called it an “abuse of power” and “unprofessional conduct” by the police.
“The right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. The police, as the law enforcers, must respect and uphold the highest law of the land,” it said.
In a separate statement, over 40 organisations and prominent individuals, including Suaram, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and activist Ambiga Sreenevasan, said the participants were exercising their right to peaceful assembly and should not be intimidated and arrested.
They stressed that such an action by the authorities was uncalled for, adding: “It is completely unnecessary and disproportionate.
“It is also a violation of the participants’ right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression by arresting them and carting them away in Black Marias.
“The police reportedly failed to inform the participants that they were being arrested nor were their rights read to them. Police officers also reportedly dragged two women against their will into the vehicles.
“We stand against the use of the authorities to silence dissent and criticism. We stand with the young people and our colleagues who have been arrested for expressing the nation’s sorrow.”
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim shared a similar sentiment, urging police to release the participants immediately.
“Don’t arrest or intimidate them,” he tweeted.
Earlier this evening, 31 participants of a memorial for those who had lost their lives to Covid-19, organised by Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR), were arrested at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.
A total of 17 male and 14 female participants in the candlelight vigil were arrested and taken to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters (IPD).
Among the participants were #Lawan organiser Mohammad Asraf Sharaf, Undi18 co-founder Qyira Yusri, and Sarah Irdina Mohamad Ariff, who is the founder of youth-based group Misi Solidariti.
Many of them were seen being roughed up and dragged into the waiting Black Marias.