[asia-apec 714] GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES--ISA & Police Brutality

[appasec]

Press Statement - 21 September 1998

GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
ISA & POLICE BRUTALITY


SUARAM condemns the detention of various people under the Internal Security Act (ISA), and also the baseless police brutality at peaceful gatherings in Kuala Lumpur. 

Since Anwar’s arrest, it is believed that at least six other people has been detained under the ISA. The detainees include leaders of Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) and the UMNO Youth Movement. It is also believed that approximately forty people have been arrested by the police.

The ISA, in itself, is a threat to human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Malaysia. Not only are detainees deprived of their right to a fair trial, the ISA also gives one man (the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad) the power to decide the fate of dissenters in the country. As a result, citizens with genuine concerns dare not voice their opinions, and outspoken critics of the government are locked-up without due process of law. 

The tense situation in the capital is further inflamed by the violent actions of the police. People who gathered at the Magistrate Court this morning, expecting the arrival of Anwar, were brutally dispersed by the police. Innocent people were attacked with water cannons, and tear-gas were fired at them. Some of the people were dragged by the police and beaten up. Witnesses also claim that some people were shot by the police.

As the Home Minister, Datuk Sri. Dr. Mahathir should heed the people’s call for justice and stop ordering further detentions under the ISA. If laws have been broken, the perpetrators should be charged and tried in a court of law; not detained arbitrarily and silenced. Further, the Prime Minister should ensure that police brutality is curbed immediately. The government and the police should respect the people’s hope for reforms; and not attack them without just cause.

SUARAM demands that all ISA detainees be released immediately without conditions. If there is evidence that these people have broken the law, then they should be given a open and fair trial. SUARAM also hopes that the police will perform their duties diligently by serving and protecting the people, instead of attacking them. 


Released by:

Jonson Chong
Coordinator








On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, please urge our
Malaysian government to ratify the International Covenant 
on Civil and Political Rights, and the International 
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 
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SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA (SUARAM)
struggling for human rights in Malaysia

add: 11, Jalan 1A/71E, Jalan Carey, 
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
tel: 60-3-7943525 fax: 7943526
email: suaram at geocities.com, wkpeng at pc.jaring.my
website:http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/1577