MEDIA STATEMENT – CRACKDOWN ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

MEDIA STATEMENT

RE: CRACKDOWN ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

On February 27, 2011 human rights and civil liberties in Malaysia plunged to a new low when the Najib regime, fearing a popular Egyptian-style uprising, conducted a pre-emptive strike on hundreds of its citizens, who planned to stage a peaceful Solidarity March against UMNO’s 54 years of racist policies.

While racism has been perpetuated by the ruling UMNO party against all minorities for decades, the straw that broke the camel’s back was the insistence of the government of introducing a school text which promotes racism against both the Indian and Chinese minorities as compulsory reading for students. Despite repeated pleas to remove this text, the government pandered to rightwing Malay organizations.

So desperate was the Najib regime to scuttle the peaceful march that it resorted to a massive intimidation campaign, utilizing both the media and the police. This campaign included racial profiling against ethnic Indians, targeting them at roadblocks and transit points, irrespective of whether or not they intended to participate in the march. As a consequence, thousands were deterred or prevented from entering the city and hundreds were arrested on sight, some on the streets, some while having their meals in restaurants, and many of them well away from the location of the intended March. Some had also suffered physical abuse, while an unknown number were detained and released off-the record.

It is clear that the Najib regime anticipated widespread support for this march, and did all it could to scuttle it. The meeting of the Inspector-General of Police with the other Indian NGOs only two days before the March is no co-incidence.

Therefore, the subsequent mocking and trivializing of this grave issue, stating that it lacks widespread support is somewhat comical.

The Najib regime should stop this denial mode, wake up and address the issue of racism seriously.

The grievances raised by Hindraf and the many other minority communities are valid and need to be addressed seriously and urgently, instead of being swept under the carpet. Indulging in token projects of no consequence, which are blown out of proportion in the media is not the way to go.

HINDRAF started as a movement to raise issues of religious freedom. However, circumstances have since forced HINDRAF to undertake the mammoth task of raising serious human rights concerns and eliminating racist policies.

The Najib regime has demonised HINDRAF with numerous false and malicious allegations which have never been substantiated to date. In what amounts to selective persecution, it is now again abusing the legal system to single out and harass, intimidate and press criminal charges against key HINDRAF leaders and supporters who were only exercising their legitimate rights under the Constitution. Nevertheless, this will not deter our Human Rights work, both locally and internationally

HINDRAF is undaunted by the allegations of the Najib regime that it is tarnishing Malaysia ’s image internationally. That credit goes to UMNO which has successfully done this on its own accord long before the existence of HINDRAF.

HINDRAF is a recognized movement Internationally. UMNO lives in denial and fear Hindraf is exposing their Racist and fascist agenda boldly which would destabilise their 54 years hegemony.

P.Waytha Moorthy

Chair

Hindraf