Human rights violations
by Angeline Loh.
http://www.aliran.com/web-specials-mainmenu-40/55-2008/567-hidden-voices
Malaysia
Uthayakumar has been diagnosed with a cardiac
problem and the Taiping General Hospital consultants
have recommended that he be admitted to the National
Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur. But he remains
at the Kamunting Detention Centre without adequate
medical attention.
Pleas and appeals by family members and friends
appear to have been stonewalled, not only by centre's
authorities, but also indirectly by the federal government
itself. In the first place, the reason for his detention and
that of four other Hindraf leaders under the draconian
and oppressive ISA is completely unclear and dubious.
The continuing denial of medical treatment for Uthayakumar
is seen as cruel and inhuman treatment as described
in The Declaration on Protection from Torture and against
the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and
represents a violation of human rights under the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (Article 2).
What has Uthayakumar done to deserve such torture?
This apparently deliberate act of oppression by the
government may result in the death of Uthayakumar,
which the Federal Government and Kamunting centre
authorities must be held responsible and accountable
for. Ordinary remand and other prison inmates are
duly given access to medical treatment in government
hospitals around the country; why not political detainees?
There is no justification for such violence and cruelty
to be practised on any human being, let alone those
who have been courageous enough to speak out for
their rights and the rights of others suffering from the
exclusion, oppression and perpetuation of injustice.
Uthayakumar and other Hindraf leaders championed
the cause of the poor at the end of last year, before
the Barisan Nasional lost its two-thirds majority in the
8 May 2008 general elections. Their protest was not
the sole cause for that loss of votes by the BN. The
fundamental cause of it was the arrogance and increasingly oppressive
circumstances
brought about by the ruling party itself.
Evidence of this can been seen in its callous attitude towards fuel price
and toll
rate hikes and its strangulation of the freedom of expression and the
right of
assembly. The oppressive circumstances included the spiralling public
transport
chaos, not only in the Federal Territory but also in Penang State, the
neglect of the
disabled and the denial of their rights, burgeoning corruption, and above
all else
the refusal to hold free and fair elections.
All in all, it was the ruling party's own mismanagement of the country and
abuse of
power that spurred the rakyat to shift their support. The Barisan Nasional
has only
itself to blame for its losses.
Uthayakumar, his family and the other Hindraf leaders, their families and
supporters,
should not be made scapegoats for the errors of a government that
continues to turn a
blind-eye to its own failures.
When will the Barisan Nasional government stop these reprisals against
ordinary
Malaysians whose only aspiration is to live in peace and justice in a our
multiracial
Malaysian society?
Reprisals such as this and the suppression of free expression and assembly
are
certainly not the solution to the symptoms of a weak administration that
is conscious
of its own deficiencies and progressive loss of credibility.
Over-reactionary, brute
force does not represent strength; it is a symptom of weakness and loss of
control.
The Federal government and the Kamunting authorities should allow
Uthayakumar the
urgent medical treatment he needs, and cease the violation of his human
rights. A
newly elected government should be clear in its thinking; it should
advocate and
adhere to principles of good governance. A fair and just government does
not respond
to the problems of the rakyat with reprisals but with concrete measures to
alleviate
their suffering.
Join in the call for ALL ISA detainees to be released or tried in open
court. Support
the Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA and all other civil society organizations that
have taken a
strong position against detention without trial
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I intend to last long enough to put out of business all COck-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.
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"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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