-Nalini Elumalai, Executive Director, May 22, 2012.
SUARAM strongly condemns the on-going campaign of intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders by individuals and certain section of mainstream media against Activist and Executive Director of Tenaganita, Ms. Irene Fernandez. We are appalled by these forms of intimidation and suppression of freedom of expression, a fundamental right which is guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.
Irene Fernandez has been attacked by the government since she was issued with a letter from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) by fax to the organisation’s office on 8th May, saying they viewed “seriously” reports of statements attributed to her during a recent interview with The Jakarta Post. Irene in her interview to Jakarta Post had requested the Indonesian government not to resume sending of workers to Malaysia until the bilateral agreement spells out workers’ rights and the recruitment system is revised to put workers and their employers in an equal position.
The threat to use the Sedition Act legitimizes the draconian act which has long been condemned by civil society and opposition parties. Rather than use it to further curb the freedom of expression, we urge the Malaysian government to be rational and to engage with Human Rights Defenders with rigorous and open debate. Resorting to legal means to censor speeches is unwittingly playing into the hands of those in the Government who seek to manipulate the “sensitive issue” paradigm to curb public discourse and political participation. It will also show that we as a society are intellectually incapable of refuting flawed rhetoric whatever the source.
“The Prime Minister on 15th of September has made a public statement on human rights reforms and shared that it is his vision that Malaysia aspires to the ranks of ‘developed nations but the events in place runs contrary to his statement as his call for reform did not reveal any significant changes if not for negative development’. It simply remains as an empty rhetoric and lacks in will and credibility. SUARAM strongly deplores this highest form of hypocrisy of the Najib administration ”, said Nalini Elumalai, Executive Director of SUARAM.
Let us be warned about the implications of this serious act of abuse of power by the government. That Irene is being attacked for holding and expressing her views and opinions which are critical towards the government proves to us that none of us are exempted from the tough repression of the current government. We, Malaysians, are under siege from our own government. This has to stop now.
SUARAM calls on all Malaysians to rise up in defence of Irene Fernandez and our rights from being sieged by a repressive government.
SUARAM strongly demands that the government:
1. Immediately stops this campaign of intimidation against human rights defenders and allow them to continue to exercise their right to freedom of expression as it is believed that they are being targeted solely as a result of their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights;
2. Takes all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of all the human rights defenders;
3. Guarantees in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Malaysia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.
4. Conforms with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especially its Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”, and Article 12.2, which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”
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