(Bangkok, 30 July 2009): The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) called on the Malaysian government to respect the right to freedom of assembly and allowed the mass rally against the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) to be held as scheduled in Kuala Lumpur on 1 August by the Abolish ISA Movement.
The rally aimed to gather 100,000 supporters from non-governmental organizations, political parties, student bodies, women’s organizations and human rights movements to push their “ultimate call” to revoke the repressive ISA, release those held under the ISA and close down the Kamunting detention camp where ISA detainees are detained.
The Abolish ISA Movement is a coalition of 83 civil society organizations, trade unions and political parties that campaigned for the abolition of the ISA.
On April 15, Najib Razak who was appointed as the new Prime Minister after the worst election result for the ruling parties in history, expressed that his government will review the ISA, the draconian legislation left from the British colonial legacy that provides for indefinite detention without trial.
Civil society, however, has been calling for the complete abolition rather than review of the legislation.
“The ISA is in direct contravention with basic principles of human rights such as the right to trial. Thousands languished in jail without a trial. Such law should not be tolerated, especially since Malaysia is also a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The ISA should be abolished altogether,” said Wahyuningrum, East Asia Program Manager of FORUM-ASIA in a statement July 31.
FORUM-ASIA is also alarmed on the possible violent disruption of this rally by the Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris), an ultra right wing group closely associated to the ruling parties who planned to hold a counter-rally on the same day and same venue purportedly to support the ISA.
FORUM-ASIA called on the police to be impartial and professional in ensuring a safe environment to facilitate for the exercising of the right to peaceful assembly by the Abolish ISA Movement. The Pewaris should not be allowed to undermine the right to freedom of assembly of others by way of threat of violence.
The organization urged the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) to play its role to monitor the police conduct in dealing with the planned public assemblies on the 1st of August.
FORUM-ASIA called on the Malaysian Government to take the necessary steps to repeal the law to respect fundamental rights and freedoms, and release all the remaining individuals detained under ISA in the absence of valid legal charges that are consistent with international legal standards, or if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times.
FORUM-ASIA is regional human rights organization with 46 members across Asia.
Anti-ISA rally on Aug 1 to kick off at 2pm
July 10, 2009
UALA LUMPUR(July 10,PATC) : Islamic Party of Malaysia(PAS) central committee member Mohamad Sabu has urged the public to turn up on Aug 1 to participate in a peaceful rally to call for the Internal Security
Act(ISA) to be abolished.
”We hope everybody could come out to stand against (the injustice of) the ISA,” Mohamad said.
When contacted today, Mohamad said the rally on Aug 1, could be an opportunity for the country to start the process of getting rid of the notorious act that has chained the country for the past 49 years.
”We are the only country to have this act apart from Singapore, Israel and Brunei,” he said.
The ISA allowed for indefinite detention without trial with several detainees currently being held for almost eight years.
The Act which originally aimed to counter communist insurgency in the 60s had turned into what several quarters described as a “political tool” for the ruling coalition to silent dissenting voices.
Mohamad said those participating should wear black and red as proposed by the organiser and he expressed confidence that the rally would proceed peacefully without any untoward incidents.
Three meeting points have been allocated for the rally namely in front of shopping complex Sogo, Masjid Jamek and the National mosque before participants march to the National Palace at 2pm.
Abolished ISA Movement(GMI) working committee chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the rally aimed to mobilise the masses to call for the draconian act to be abolished, for all ISA detainees to be released and for Kamunting Camp in Perak to be closed down.
Makkal Sakhti
He said the rally in conjunction with 49th anniversary of the draconian act would culminate with a people declaration being handed over to the Yang diPertuan Agong, the King.
He said the secretariat of the rally would be sending a letter to the National Palace seeking audience.
In a statement distributed July 10, Syed Ibrahim said the rally is part of GMI continuous effort to highlight the injustices of the ISA.
”The pressure from the people (to the government) play an important role in this effort (to repeal the draconian act),” he said.
”The people has once again call for change,” he said hinting that people power and “makkal sakhti” would be the battlecry for the rally.
”We are calling for bloggers, reformists and social activists to support this rally,” he said.
He said in the presence of ISA, everyone could be detained at any time and their freedom being taken away.
Syed Ibrahim said a series of rally would also be held nationwide in the run up to Aug 1.
He said updated information could be obtained from the rally’s official blog at himpunanmansuhisa.wordpress.com
There will also be banner, posters and fliers to be distributed nationwide.
/end.
