Thursday, 18-Oct-2001 6:59 PM

ISA not justified in fighting terrorism in Malaysia

The continued use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) to fight terrorism is not justified said Suaram, a leading Malaysian human rights group in a press release on 17 October 2001.

(Full text of the press release can be read here).

"Human Rights Watch has identified the Malaysian government as one of the countries that takes the opportunity to increase repression on its civil society in the name of anti-terrorism," added Suaram.

"In any event, the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) in Malaysia, which allows for indefinite detention without trials, cannot be justified," said Suaram.

Suaram said that civil liberties of the people have been the latest casualties, especially in the third world countries such as Malaysia, following the terrorist attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon in the United States.

In the latest round of ISA arrests, six more people, alleged to be members of Islamic militant group, Malaysia Mujahidin Group, were arrested on 10 October 2001. This brings the total of recent ISA arrests, since April this year, to 30.

Suaram called on the United States and all the delegates to the APEC meeting to adhere to principles of democracy and human rights in their efforts to counter terrorism in the world, and urged the United States not to compromise on the three issues, concerning the rights of political detainees, raised with the Malaysian government in July.