Free EO detainees now, TI-M tells Putrajaya

July 04, 2011
Low said laws such as the EO were open to abuse. — file pic
KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has called for the immediate release of six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members now held under the Emergency Ordinance (EO), calling the use of the law a breach of human rights.

The six have been detained since last Saturday for allegedly “waging a war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong” after they were found with T-shirts bearing the likenesses of former communist leaders.

Among the detainees is Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj.

TI-M further urged Putrajaya to repeal the EO, saying the law has outlived its purpose.

The EO was enacted in 1969 as a temporary measure to respond to the May 13 riots, and allows for detention without trial.

“TI-M has repeatedly called for the repeal of existing law which allow for detention without trial,” TI-M President Datuk Paul Low said today in a statement.

“These laws go against the basic principles human rights, and are subject to abuse,” he added.

TI-M urged relevant authorities to discharge their duty with transparency and integrity and not apply archaic laws to detain political and social activists.

Doing so, it said, will undermine their professional integrity in the eyes of the people as well as the international community.

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