Malaysian labor activist detained for over
two years

On May 28, 2003, the Lawyers Committee sent a letter to Dato. Ahmad Badawi, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, calling for the release of renowned labor and pro-reform activist Tian Chua. The letter recounts reports of an alleged assault against Mr. Chua by prison guards on May 9, and notes that Mr. Chua's two year detention order is due to expire on June 1. The Deputy Prime Minister, as Home Minister, has the power to renew the detention order at that time, subjecting Mr. Chua to indefinite detention.

The letter states in part:
"From members of parliament in Britain and Japan, to senior officials in the U.S. Department of State, for over two years the international community has expressed its concern about Mr. Chua’s imprisonment. We urge you to release Mr. Chua on the expiration of his detention order on June 1, or charge him publicly with a cognizable criminal offense."

Read the full text of the letter