World Human Rights Day 2000:
Malaysia Stands Out Like a Sore Thumb
It is with mixed feelings and a troubled heart that Aliran marks World Human Rights Day on 10 December 2000. Although we are stepping into the new millennium, the era of globalisation, anachronistic repressive laws within our country continue to prevent Malaysians from claiming fully their fundamental rights and realising their human dignity.
The most pernicious of these laws is the Internal Security Act, still in force after more than 43 years of Independence. Under the ISA, thousands of Malaysians have been robbed of their rights and liberties and tragically, in many cases, the best years of their lives. The ISA may be legal but it is a barbaric law that condemns and convicts individuals without a fair trial in open court. It further violates the spiritual traditions and teachings of all religions practised in Malaysia.
In this regard, Aliran is deeply troubled by recent developments that have tarnished the integrity of the judiciary and undermined its independence. The controversial conviction of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and some of his associates is but one such glaring example. Consequently, individuals and groups have called for a Royal Commission to inquire into the state of the Malaysian Judiciary with a view to restoring its integrity and independence - a call that Aliran strongly supports.
Aliran is most encouraged by the awakening of the Malaysian people, who have begun to stand up for their civil and political rights. More and more NGOs and organisations have been formed and mobilised in the defence of these rights. The establishment of SUHAKAM under an act of parliament is also most welcome but it will have to prove itself to enhance its credibility.
Unfortunately this awakening of the Malaysian people has been met with increased police brutality and repression. The Mahathir administration refuses to recognise this flowering of consciousness and instead seems hell-bent on suppressing it.
It seems contradictory that we are a member of the United Nations and yet we have not ratified these instruments, which have been endorsed by the vast majority of its members. We stand out like a sore thumb in the international community. Endorsing these instruments will clearly affirm our commitment to universal human rights values and go a long way in fulfilling our aspiration towards freedom and democracy.
Dr Francis Loh
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On this anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Aliran calls upon the government to declare its respect for and commitment to the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration. We also call on the government to ratify the various international human rights instruments particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.