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| Comments & Statements From Members of the Public With Regards to the Anwar Ibrahim Saga |
Anwar's arrest under the Internal Security Act (ISA) on charges of sodomy and abuse of power, following his sacking from office on September 2nd, has plunged Malaysia into crisis. His supporters claim that the charges against him are without foundation and that his call for Government reforms in the wake of South-east Asia's financial crisis have made him the target of a concerted smear campaign by associates of Malaysia's beleaguered Premier, Dr Mahathir. Earlier today Mr Corbyn said: "Tomorrow afternoon I will be delivering a letter to the High Commissioner signed by a number of prominent Labour backbench MPs who deplore the way the former deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia has been treated and urging that he be given full access to his lawyers and due process of law so that he can properly defend himself against these serious charges in a just and fair trial." Commenting on Anwar's court appearance earlier this week when he showed visible signs of having been assaulted while in detention, Mr Corbyn went on: "I am deeply shocked at the allegations that he has been assaulted and tortured while in police custody and believe that a full and independent inquiry should be immediately set up so that those responsible for his injuries can be brought to justice." END
Your Excellency We are deeply disturbed at the arrest of Dato Anwar Ibrahim, the deputy Prime Minister. In addition, the denial of access to lawyers or due process of law is causing us great concern. As Parliamentarians, we are shocked that he has been treated in this manner and respectfully ask that he be afforded full access to lawyers and be released in order to be able to defend himself. We would be most grateful, therefore, if you would convey the depth of our feelings about this matter to your Government in Malaysia. yours sincerely
Jeremy Corbyn MP, the vice-chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group, met with senior officials of the Malaysian High Commission in London at 2.30pm on Friday 2nd October to convey the deep concern amongst British Parliamentarians at the continuing detention under the Internal Security Act of the former deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. At the meeting, Mr Corbyn delivered a letter to the High Commissioner signed by 17 senior Labour backbench MPs, a Member of the European Parliament, and a distinguished Member of the House of Lords. The letter expressed grave concern at Anwar's treatment, and called for him to be released and given full access to legal representation and due process of law so that he could properly defend himself in the face of the serious charges against him. Mr Corbyn emphasised to the senior High Commission officers that many British MPs were seriously alarmed at the arrest of Anwar and were shocked that a respected senior Parliamentarian could receive such treatment. The allegations that Anwar Ibrahim had been ill-treated during custody appalled British MPs. Jeremy explained that it would not be difficult to get many, many more signatures to the letter, such was Anwar's reputation and the strength of feeling in the British Parliament on the point of principle at issue. He, therefore, urged that the Malaysian Government release Anwar, allow him to plead his case and see that he is granted proper legal representation. Mr Corbyn went on to condemn the numerous injustices that had been created in the name of Malaysia's Internal Security Act which allowed the authorities to detain people for considerable periods of time without reference to the courts. The High Commission responded that 7 of those prisoners detained under the ISA had recently been released. Mr Corbyn welcomed their release but called for the release of ten other prisoners of conscience who are currently being detained under this draconian law. When pressed about the allegations that Anwar was brutally beaten by police while in detention the High Commission advised Mr Corbyn that these allegations would be fully looked into by an independent investigation so that if found to be true those responsible could be brought to justice. Mr Corbyn went on to ask the High Commission representatives whether the Government in Kuala Lumpur was aware of the great damage that this episode was inflicting on Malaysia's reputation in the rest of the world. High Commission staff acknowledged that Anwar Ibrahim had extensive support throughout Malaysia and admitted that the High Commission in London had received a large number of letters from individuals and human rights organisations in the UK protesting at the treatment of Anwar and that these had been conveyed to the Government in Malaysia. Mr Corbyn concluded the meeting by reminding the High Commission of the serious implications for Malaysia of the continued detention of prisoners of conscience and of the economic effects that could arise if Malaysia did not uphold the human right of its citizens to express their views peacefully without fear of retribution. High Commission staff assured Mr Corbyn that this would be conveyed back to the Government in Malaysia. END |
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