WMP PS on reports from AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL & FIDH

PRESS STATEMENT 29.05.2008

HINDRAF
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN

RE: STATEMENT ISSUED BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL & FIDH

Yesterday, two (2) renowned Human Rights watchdogs being Amnesty International and FIDH have issued statements in relation to human right violations in Malaysia that are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948.

HINDRAF welcomes the statements made and the international pressures through such esteemed organizations are powerful indicator as the international society begins to take keen interest on the atrocities created against Human rights and freedom in Malaysia. The pressure will be ongoing and it will not stop until, Malaysia recognizes and practices international standards on human freedom and rights.

The irony of the whole event is, Malaysia being a member of the United Nations Human Right Council had pledged to engage constructively in evolving the work of Human Rights Council for promotion and protection of human right through international standards and protection mechanism.

However, in Malaysia today it is a different story, ISA is in existence, and human right violation, detention without trial, cruel inhuman degrading treatment and punishment are prevalent as we have seen in the case of the Hindraf 5.

Furthermore, Malaysia being a member of the Human Rights Council, it still has not ratified various covenants including those pertaining to Convention against torture nor the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Although international pressure has been mounting on the government on it's abysmal record on detention without trial, restriction on freedom of expression and speech, it continue to disregard international standards to respect and safeguard human right issues in Malaysia.

The government will nonetheless claim that such measures are a necessity and will continue to infringe every possible human right and freedom to maintain its status quo.

As for the Malaysian public, I think it is high time we work together as society to oppose such infringements. Protection of human rights and freedom of expression are vital aspect in nation building. We cannot continue to be nonchalant on these abuses as it will have detrimental effect on the long run for our society in Malaysia.

A sense of society impotence should not pervade in our country. The Malaysian people should act together to take proactive measures in pressuring our government to fall in line with international standards in protecting human rights and fundamental freedom in our country. We, being a developed, progressive and civic conscious nation should never condone to such abuses by the government, such that are only seen in undeveloped and dictatorial nations.

P.WAYTHA MOORTHY
CHAIRMAN
HINDRAF
Currently in London