Aliran Media Statement        

Respect World Court Decision on Param

Aliran hails the World Court's ruling that United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges Param Cumaraswamy is entitled to immunity from legal proceedings.

The decision of the International Court of Justice confirms the view held by numerous NGOs and within legal circles that Param was indeed protected by immunity when he commented on the Malaysian judicial system in November 1995.

Aliran recalls that Malaysia had indicated it would abide by the World Court's decision. Now that the decision has been made, it is incumbent upon the Malaysian government to honour its obligations.

To maintain our reputation in the world community as a nation that lives up to its moral obligations, we must now bring to a close all legal proceedings and put to rest this unhappy episode.

P Ramakrishnan
President
30 April 1999