Malaysia: Prominent Rights Advocate To Be Released
from Prison
Jailed Dissident Will be Freed after more than Two Years
Detention under Security Law
NEW YORK - Tian Chua, a prominent Malaysian labor activist and
the vice president of the leading opposition Keadilan political party,
was released from Kamunting Detention Camp on Saturday. He had been
detained for more than two years under the Internal Security Act,
a piece of national security legislation, which provides for detention
by executive order, without charge or trial.
“The two-year detention of Tian Chua had nothing to do with
punishing someone who had done something wrong, and everything to
do with trying to intimidate and silence those who seek reform in
Malaysia,” said Laurie Berg, a spokesperson for the Lawyers
Committee for Human Rights. “We are hopeful that the release
of Mr. Chua signals a change of tack for the Malaysian government.”
Mr. Chua had been held in jail until this weekend, even though
the Federal Court (Malaysia’s highest court) declared his
arrest illegal last year, and the National Human Rights Commission,
and the Internal Security Advisory Board, had repeatedly recommended
that he be released.
And even now, Mr. Chua is not out of custody. He is currently on
remand at another prison pending bail applications for outstanding
charges for illegal assembly that predate his detention. He is expected
to finally walk free tomorrow.
The Lawyers Committee calls for the repeal of the Internal Security
Act. According to reports received by the Lawyers Committee, scores
of people have been subject to detention under the Act in the last
year. These individuals must be either charged publicly with a criminal
offense and receive a full and fair trial, or be given back their
freedom.
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