Malaysia now a ‘human rights black hole’
Following the passing of the POTA, Amnesty International has slapped Malaysia
with the label of “human rights black hole”.
with the label of “human rights black hole”.
KUALA LUMPUR: The recent passing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act
(POTA) has earned Malaysia the damning label of being a “human rights
black hole”, courtesy of Amnesty International.
(POTA) has earned Malaysia the damning label of being a “human rights
black hole”, courtesy of Amnesty International.
Passed in the early hours of Tuesday morning by a small margin, POTA
has been criticised as being a “shocking onslaught against human rights
and the rule of law”, as put by Amnesty International’s Malaysia-based
researcher Hazel Galang-Folli in a report by Australian news portal news.com.au.
has been criticised as being a “shocking onslaught against human rights
and the rule of law”, as put by Amnesty International’s Malaysia-based
researcher Hazel Galang-Folli in a report by Australian news portal news.com.au.
“Abandoning people to rot in a cell for years on end without a judicial
process and proof that they have committed a crime is just like aimlessly
stabbing in the dark,” said Hazel.
process and proof that they have committed a crime is just like aimlessly
stabbing in the dark,” said Hazel.
“Authorities must ensure that human rights and fair trial guarantees are
respected and protected.
respected and protected.
“With the stroke of a pen, Malaysia has managed to get one step closer to
becoming a ‘human rights black hole’ where fundamental rights to a fair
trial or freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, even if enshrined in
the Malaysian constitution, are increasingly being undermined in the name
of national security.”
becoming a ‘human rights black hole’ where fundamental rights to a fair
trial or freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, even if enshrined in
the Malaysian constitution, are increasingly being undermined in the name
of national security.”
POTA was sold as a measure necessary to turn the tide on a growing number
of Malaysian citizens linked to the Islamic State (IS).
of Malaysian citizens linked to the Islamic State (IS).
Home Minister Zahid Hamidi had said it was “a real threat, and prevention
measures are needed.”
measures are needed.”
However, New York-based NGO Human Rights Watch has called it a “giant
step backwards for human rights” and the reopening of “Pandora’s box for
politically motivated, abusive state actions”.
step backwards for human rights” and the reopening of “Pandora’s box for
politically motivated, abusive state actions”.
Opposition MPs have been roundly derided and criticised for allowing
POTA’s passing, most notably two days ago by University Malaya associate
professor of law Azmi Sharom, who slammed Pakatan Rakyat after more than
20 Opposition MPs were absent from the passing of the bill.
POTA’s passing, most notably two days ago by University Malaya associate
professor of law Azmi Sharom, who slammed Pakatan Rakyat after more than
20 Opposition MPs were absent from the passing of the bill.
“You know where the Barisan Nasional MPs are. You know. You could have
been there,” said Azmi.
been there,” said Azmi.
POTA is the latest subject of Malaysian human rights concerns, in addition to
the already much-criticised Sedition Act – for which additional amendments
were successfully made today at 2.30am – the Printing Presses and Publications
Act, which has been seen as forbidding material of the government; corporal
punishment, and the country’s stance on sexuality.
the already much-criticised Sedition Act – for which additional amendments
were successfully made today at 2.30am – the Printing Presses and Publications
Act, which has been seen as forbidding material of the government; corporal
punishment, and the country’s stance on sexuality.
A report was released by Amnesty International in 2010 highlighting the long
term impact, both physically and psychologically, of caning.
term impact, both physically and psychologically, of caning.
The Blow to Humanity report declared “caning in Malaysia has hit epidemic
proportions” and suggested thousands of people each year were subjected to
torture and ill-treatment.
proportions” and suggested thousands of people each year were subjected to
torture and ill-treatment.
In regard to Malaysian sexuality, Human Rights Watch has also said that
“open opposition to LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders) rights
has increased as courts are more assertively prosecuting alleged LGBT activity”.
“open opposition to LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders) rights
has increased as courts are more assertively prosecuting alleged LGBT activity”.
Malaysia is now becoming a police state. Soon we cannot do this and that.
Umno/BN ruling govt have to be voted out NOW!
Umno/BN ruling govt have to be voted out NOW!
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