Rights group Suaram concluded, in their report on civil and political rights, that human rights in Malaysia in 2007 continued to deteriorate, exemplified by the failing of institutions that are supposed to protect human rights and the rise of the culture of impunity in the government under the leadership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Suaram today released the Overview of its Report on Civil and Political Rights in Malaysia 2007 in conjunction with the International Human Rights Day.
The deterioration of human rights is most glaring in the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly where the ranking of Malaysia in the Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF)’s press freedom index by 32 spots to 124th, the increased persecution of the bloggers with arrest and criminal prosecution despite the government’s promise not to censor internet, the abuse of the police to violently crackdown on peaceful public assemblies and the constant threats of the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without trial.
“The failing of institutions that are supposed to protect human rights is alarming,” said Yap Swee Seng, Executive Director of Suaram.
One of the examples given by Suaram in its report is in cases of death in custody, where none of the 10 cases in 2007 have had an inquest conducted. Corruption allegations against the police including the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Minister of Internal Security and the former Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Agency itself have left these institutions with little credibility.
While the Attorney General’s Chambers cleared some of those alleged of corruption, its own credibility is in serious question with the sudden change of the prosecution team in the Altantuya’s murder case and the charges of attempted murder on Hindraf peaceful rally participants. This is further made worse with the acquittal of Eric Chia by the court from corruption charges.
There are also little avenue for redress of human rights violations. The judiciary, being the last bastion in defending the human rights, has heavily compromised its independence since 1988 judicial crisis, a trend further confirmed by the explosive expose of the Lingam tape incident. The National Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) continues to lack the political will to stand firm on human rights principles against the government as evident in its initial unwillingness to conduct public inquiry on the Batu Buruk police shooting incident.
The failing of these institutions and the collapse of checks and balances mechanism in the government and the political system have led to the rise of impunity, with few being held accountable to human rights violations.
“If this trend is not reversed, human rights will further deteriorate in coming years. The people of all races will have to unite against this development that has grown out from the divide and rule tactics of the government, if we aspire for a better Malaysia in the future,” said Yap.
Suaram today released the Overview of its Report on Civil and Political Rights in Malaysia 2007 in conjunction with the International Human Rights Day.
The deterioration of human rights is most glaring in the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly where the ranking of Malaysia in the Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF)’s press freedom index by 32 spots to 124th, the increased persecution of the bloggers with arrest and criminal prosecution despite the government’s promise not to censor internet, the abuse of the police to violently crackdown on peaceful public assemblies and the constant threats of the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without trial.
“The failing of institutions that are supposed to protect human rights is alarming,” said Yap Swee Seng, Executive Director of Suaram.
One of the examples given by Suaram in its report is in cases of death in custody, where none of the 10 cases in 2007 have had an inquest conducted. Corruption allegations against the police including the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Minister of Internal Security and the former Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Agency itself have left these institutions with little credibility.
While the Attorney General’s Chambers cleared some of those alleged of corruption, its own credibility is in serious question with the sudden change of the prosecution team in the Altantuya’s murder case and the charges of attempted murder on Hindraf peaceful rally participants. This is further made worse with the acquittal of Eric Chia by the court from corruption charges.
There are also little avenue for redress of human rights violations. The judiciary, being the last bastion in defending the human rights, has heavily compromised its independence since 1988 judicial crisis, a trend further confirmed by the explosive expose of the Lingam tape incident. The National Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) continues to lack the political will to stand firm on human rights principles against the government as evident in its initial unwillingness to conduct public inquiry on the Batu Buruk police shooting incident.
The failing of these institutions and the collapse of checks and balances mechanism in the government and the political system have led to the rise of impunity, with few being held accountable to human rights violations.
“If this trend is not reversed, human rights will further deteriorate in coming years. The people of all races will have to unite against this development that has grown out from the divide and rule tactics of the government, if we aspire for a better Malaysia in the future,” said Yap.
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