Ignoring Human Rights comes with a price

By Rathi Ramanathan, the Sun

Wed, 28 May 2008

 

PETALING JAYA (May 28, 2008): Amnesty International Malaysia campaigns co-ordinator K.Shan warned today that Malaysia ignores the call for human rights protection at its own peril.

"Groundswell to demand for the protection for human rights is evidenced by the two mass public assemblies, marches and minimum wage pickets in 2007," said Shan at the launching of the Amnesty International Report 2008: State of the World's Human Rights, in conjunction with the worldwide release of the report.

"People are losing faith and growing impatient with the failure of governments, including Malaysia, to protect their rights and the need for reform,' he added.

This year represents 60 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations.

The report, among others, highlighted that:

> at least 10 people had died in police custody last year, including two suicides;

>83 people were detained without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA).;

> 24,770 migrant workers detained by authorities and subjected to psychological and physical abuse as well as cruel and degrading punishments like caning;

> places of worship were demolished and restrictions on religious freedom remained.

Shan said in conjunction with the release of the 2008 report, governments like Malaysia should stop being in denial and apologise for its poor commitment in upholding human rights.

"The government has to stop using torture and ill-treatment and claim that it is as an acceptable practice for intelligence gathering," said Shan.

Most of them are alleged members of Islamist groups, including Jemmah Islamiah (JI), while others arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) includes the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

Attempts by the Opposition to get the current Parliament meeting to discuss the ISA were rejected by the Speaker and backbenchers.

Meanwhile, Norlaila Othman, the wife of ISA detainee Mat Sah Bin Mohammed Satray, said ministers need to pay a visit to Kamunting to truly have an understanding of the ordeal ISA detainees face.

"Once you are inside, you become a nobody. You are treated worse than an animal, trapped in a 10 ft room with no fan that you are forced to strip naked to just feel cool."

"How can the government say that men like my husband need couseling? Is this counselling ... this is not rehabilitation. If he is indeed guilty, provide the evidence in court."

"As we are only allowed to talk to him through the intercom ... my son has not been able to touch his father in six years," she added.

Updated: 06:25PM Wed, 28 May 2008