Monday, March 8, 2010

URGENT APPEAL: STOP THE DEPORTATION OF THE 10 DETAINEES HELD UNDER THE ISA!

SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA

Address: 433A, Jalan 5/46, Gasing Indah, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Telephone: +6 03 7784 3525 Fax: +6 03 7784 3526
Email: suaram@suaram.net Web: www.suaram.net


URGENT APPEAL: 8 MARCH 2010


To,

President/Chairman/Executive Director/Coordinator of non-governmental organizations, trade unions and political parties,


SEEKING YOUR SUPPORT TO STOP THE DEPORTATION OF THE 10 DETAINEES HELD UNDER THE ISA!

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) condemns the decision by the Home Minister to deport the 10 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees to their countries without any explanation to their family members and people of Malaysia. The 10 detainees are among the 12 detainees who are currently detained under the draconian ISA.

SUARAM managed to identify nine of the detainees and is still trying to ascertain the other three individuals. The nine are:

1. Azzahari bin Murad (Malaysian) – Still under detention
2. Aiman Al Dakkak (Syrian Nationality), USM PHD Student – Facing Deportation
3. Mohamed Hozifa (Syrian Nationality)- Son of Aiman Al Dakkak– Facing Deportation
4. Kutiba Al-Issa (Syrian Nationality)- Student – Facing Deportation
5. Khalid Salem (Yamani Nationality)- Student- Deportated back on the 4th March 2010
6. Luqman Abdul Salam (Nigerian Nationality)- Student– Facing Deportation
7. Hassan Barudi (Syrian Nationality) – Facing Deportation
8. Hussam Khalid (Jordanian Nationality)– Facing Deportation
9. Abdul Alhi Bolajoko Uthman (Nigerian Nationality) – Facing Deportation

Suaram strongly condemns the new arrests and also deportation of these detainees. We also learned that until today the detainees have not been allowed access to legal counsel although several attempt have been made before. We urge the police and the government to allow the detainees to access legal assistance and immediately stop the plans to deport these detainees. We also urge the government to let the detainees to continue their studies and to be with their family members.

It is a shame that the government is again practising double standards on issues related to ISA. On one hand, plans to review the ISA and to release detainees were announced last year but on the other hand, new detentions were carried out discreetly with no prior announcements made.


Background

We learnt that there were around 50 people who were arrested under the ISA on Thursday, 21st January 2010 at Sungai Cincin, Gombak when they were attending an informal religious class at Sungai Cincin. The armed policemen forced their way into the house without warning.

Among the 50 arrested that night, only 12 have been further detained and the rest were released at around 3 am on 22nd January 2010. Out of the 12, SUARAM only managed to identify nine individuals and is still trying to identify the other three. As of this date, 11 of them remain detained, one have been released and deported back. He is known as Khalid Salem from Yaman. They were alleged for suspected terrorism and international terrorist networking. However, according to the information received, so far no charges have been brought against them. Furthermore, their respective lawyers have been trying to get access to them since their arrest, but to no avail.


Action Needed

We would like to request your organization to support our campaign by taking the following action:


Sample Letter

[Your Organization’s Letterhead]



Your Excellency,
Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak,
Prime Minister of Malaysia,
Prime Minister's Office,
Main Block, Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA

Tel : 603-8888 8000
Fax : 603-8888 3444


RE: ABOLISH ISA AND STOP THE DEPORTATION OF THE 11 DETAINEES HELD UNDER THE ISA!

We are writing to you to express our serious concern about the latest arrests in Malaysia under the Internal Security Act (ISA). It has come to our attention that among the twelve detainees, one of them has been released and deported to his country of origin. The rest will be released and handed over to the Immigration Department for deportation.

To this date, 11of them remain detained, allegedly suspected of terrorism and international terrorist networking. However, according to the information received, no charges have been brought against them. Furthermore, their respective lawyers have been trying to get access to them since their arrest, but to no avail.

In light of this, we reiterate our previous calls and urge you, Your Excellency, to immediately stop the deportation and to release them immediately in the absence of valid legal charges that are consistent with international law and standards, and if such charges exist, to ensure that they are given a prompt and fair trial, in which their procedural rights are guaranteed at all times, including immediate access to a lawyer of their choice.

We further reiterate our call to the Malaysian Government to take the necessary steps to effectively repeal the ISA in order to respect fundamental rights and freedoms.

We hope that the concerns expressed in this letter will receive the attention they deserve and we would welcome your prompt response on these matters.


Yours Sincerely,



[..............................]

Name:
Organization:


C.C:

1. YB Dato Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein

Home Ministry
Blok D1 & D2, Kompleks D
Pusat Pentadbiran
Kerajaan Persekutuan
62546 Putrajaya

Telefon: 03 8886 8000
Fax : 03-88891613/03-88891610
emel: webmaster@moha.gov.my


2. Tan Sri Musa Hassan,

Inspector General of Police,
Police Headquarters,
50560 Bukit Aman,
Kuala Lumpur

E-mel : rmp@rmp.gov.my
Fax: 03 22739602


3. Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman,

Chairman,
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
Level 29, Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut
50350 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 603-26125600
Fax: 603-26125620
E-mail: humanrights@suhakam.org.my

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