Human rights watchdog Suaram has indicted premier Najib Abdul Razak for his administration's "blatant disregard" of human rights during his first 200 days in office.
In a just-released report, it cited such "serious violations" as:
Continued use of emergency laws and those dealing with detention without trial
Racial and religious intolerance
Crackdowns on assemblies and peaceful civil disobedience
Curbs on media freedom and attacks on the alternative media
Abuses by law enforcement agencies
Suaram said nothing has changed in spite of Najib's assertion that his government intends to "uphold civil liberties".
According to the report, Najib has also failed to heed and implement the 10 Key Performance Indicators presented to him by civil society groups on the occasion of his 100th day in office.
These are meant to serve as a guideline and benchmark of performance with regard to human rights and democracy:
Fresh elections to resolve the Perak constitutional crisis
A royal commission to reform the electoral system and process
Reforms in the judiciary and prosecution authorities
Ensure the independence of Parliament
Repeal the Internal Security Act
Set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission
Ensure the independence of the media
Implement freedom of information policies
Initiate local government elections
Ensure the independence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
Such failures, the report said, reflect badly on Najib's "commitment to human rights and democracy".
Third death anniversary
Najib's poor score was not only accumulated during the first 200 days as prime minister, but date back to his time as deputy premier and defence minister, said the report.
This was a reference to curbs on fundamental freedoms in the run-up to three by-elections in April - in Bukit Gantang (Perak), Bukit Selambau (Kedah) and Batang Ai (Sarawak).
At the time, the Home Ministry had banned political parties from bringing up the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, which has been linked to Najib despite his strenuous denial of any involvement in the matter.
Altantuya served as interpreter for defence consultant Abdul Razak Baginda, a close aide of Najib who was then defence minister. She helped out in a deal that led to Malaysia's purchase of Scorpene submarines.
Three years ago, she was murdered and her body was blown up with the use of military grade explosive. Two members of an elite police security detail were found guilty of the murder, while Abdul Razak was acquitted of abetting them.
The report noted that Najib's first 200 days as prime minister coincided with the third anniversary of Altantuya death yesterday.
Suaram added that the controversy surrounding the murder by individuals closely linked to Najib - and the "unanswered and unresolved questions as to the use of explosives only available from the Defence Ministry" - will continue to shadow the situation of human rights during his tenure.
MK
20/10/09
In a just-released report, it cited such "serious violations" as:
Continued use of emergency laws and those dealing with detention without trial
Racial and religious intolerance
Crackdowns on assemblies and peaceful civil disobedience
Curbs on media freedom and attacks on the alternative media
Abuses by law enforcement agencies
Suaram said nothing has changed in spite of Najib's assertion that his government intends to "uphold civil liberties".
According to the report, Najib has also failed to heed and implement the 10 Key Performance Indicators presented to him by civil society groups on the occasion of his 100th day in office.
These are meant to serve as a guideline and benchmark of performance with regard to human rights and democracy:
Fresh elections to resolve the Perak constitutional crisis
A royal commission to reform the electoral system and process
Reforms in the judiciary and prosecution authorities
Ensure the independence of Parliament
Repeal the Internal Security Act
Set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission
Ensure the independence of the media
Implement freedom of information policies
Initiate local government elections
Ensure the independence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
Such failures, the report said, reflect badly on Najib's "commitment to human rights and democracy".
Third death anniversary
Najib's poor score was not only accumulated during the first 200 days as prime minister, but date back to his time as deputy premier and defence minister, said the report.
This was a reference to curbs on fundamental freedoms in the run-up to three by-elections in April - in Bukit Gantang (Perak), Bukit Selambau (Kedah) and Batang Ai (Sarawak).
At the time, the Home Ministry had banned political parties from bringing up the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, which has been linked to Najib despite his strenuous denial of any involvement in the matter.
Altantuya served as interpreter for defence consultant Abdul Razak Baginda, a close aide of Najib who was then defence minister. She helped out in a deal that led to Malaysia's purchase of Scorpene submarines.
Three years ago, she was murdered and her body was blown up with the use of military grade explosive. Two members of an elite police security detail were found guilty of the murder, while Abdul Razak was acquitted of abetting them.
The report noted that Najib's first 200 days as prime minister coincided with the third anniversary of Altantuya death yesterday.
Suaram added that the controversy surrounding the murder by individuals closely linked to Najib - and the "unanswered and unresolved questions as to the use of explosives only available from the Defence Ministry" - will continue to shadow the situation of human rights during his tenure.
MK
20/10/09
No comments:
Post a Comment