(Bernama) -- Mind your own business. This is the candid response from Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to foreign human rights groups who have called for a royal commission of inquiry to investigate whether the authorities had breached human rights laws in handling last Saturday's illegal assembly in Kuala Lumpur.
He said although Malaysia was a democratic country, democracy did not equate to lawlessness.
"Let me put it this way... Malaysia will govern the country in its own way.
"You still have to abide by the law, so I don't think any country's human rights body can tell other countries what it should do," he told reporters after hosting lunch for his counterpart from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sven Alkalaj, at a hotel here today.
Syed Hamid said foreign human rights groups should instead look at correcting the wrongs in their respective countries and improving their own justice system.
"In the past we've seen what they have prescribed for a country, there's always trouble in that countries. They should just look after their own country and see whether there are things that can be improved and then maybe we can learn from them.
He said Malaysia allowed rallies provided they were staged in accordance with the law.
Alkalaj, accompanied by senior government officials and representatives from the country's private sector is in Malaysia on a three-day visit since Tuesday.
Syed Hamid said he and Alkalaj had very fruitful discussions and both Malaysia and Bosnia and Herzegovina can learn a lot from each other, especially in areas of defence and technology.
"As we know Bosnia has a very strong technology industry and I think even in the defence industry they are very strong and modernised because of their past experiences.
"In our case, the defence industry is still in its infancy. So there is interest in developing cooperative efforts between our two countries," he said.
Syed Hamid said Alkalaj had also been looking at development modules in Malaysia suitable for application in Bosnia because the country was similar to Malaysia with its multi-ethnic, cultural and religious society.
He said Alkalaj also visited the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department and addressed a seminar on business and investment opportunities in his country.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
17/11: Royal commissions: What are they about?
New Straits Times
A ROYAL Commission is usually formed when a matter of national interest arises that requires immediate action.
In 1993, when rejecting a motion by Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw to set up a royal commission to investigate the Highland Towers collapse, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Juhar Mahirudin said the three requirements necessary for such a commission to be considered was that it had to concern a specific issue, it had to be of importance to the general public and it had to be a matter of urgency.
In that case, the request to set up a commission failed because it did not meet the third requirement.
In Malaysia's history, Royal Commissions have been set up to look into a host of issues, ranging from the operations and management of the police force, to the deadly blaze at the Sungai Buloh Bright Sparklers fireworks factory in 1991, to the collapse of the Butterworth ferry terminal in 1988 and the salaries and conditions in the public service in 1965.
Originating in the United Kingdom, Royal Commissions exist in many Commonwealth countries, including Malaysia, Canada, Australia, India and New Zealand.
Royal commissions can consist of any number of commissioners depending on the complexity of the investigation.
For example, the Butterworth ferry terminal commission panel consisted of three members, while the last commission, the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operations and Management of the Police Force in 2004, had 16 members from various segments of society.
Royal commission members are usually notable public figures headed by retired senior judges.
Created by the king on the advice of the government, royal commissions have great powers but a limited sphere of operation that extends only to its terms of reference.
However, once a royal commission of enquiry has begun, the government cannot stop it until the date given in the terms of reference expires.
The commission is given whatever facilities, technology or expert assistance it needs, and can compel anybody it wants to appear before it and give evidence under oath if necessary.
It can seize documents and other evidence that is relevant to its investigation.
Once the investigation is completed, the results are usually published in public reports that also contain policy recommendations.
The reports tend to lead to the government turning the recommendations into law.
A ROYAL Commission is usually formed when a matter of national interest arises that requires immediate action.
In 1993, when rejecting a motion by Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw to set up a royal commission to investigate the Highland Towers collapse, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Juhar Mahirudin said the three requirements necessary for such a commission to be considered was that it had to concern a specific issue, it had to be of importance to the general public and it had to be a matter of urgency.
In that case, the request to set up a commission failed because it did not meet the third requirement.
In Malaysia's history, Royal Commissions have been set up to look into a host of issues, ranging from the operations and management of the police force, to the deadly blaze at the Sungai Buloh Bright Sparklers fireworks factory in 1991, to the collapse of the Butterworth ferry terminal in 1988 and the salaries and conditions in the public service in 1965.
Originating in the United Kingdom, Royal Commissions exist in many Commonwealth countries, including Malaysia, Canada, Australia, India and New Zealand.
Royal commissions can consist of any number of commissioners depending on the complexity of the investigation.
For example, the Butterworth ferry terminal commission panel consisted of three members, while the last commission, the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operations and Management of the Police Force in 2004, had 16 members from various segments of society.
Royal commission members are usually notable public figures headed by retired senior judges.
Created by the king on the advice of the government, royal commissions have great powers but a limited sphere of operation that extends only to its terms of reference.
However, once a royal commission of enquiry has begun, the government cannot stop it until the date given in the terms of reference expires.
The commission is given whatever facilities, technology or expert assistance it needs, and can compel anybody it wants to appear before it and give evidence under oath if necessary.
It can seize documents and other evidence that is relevant to its investigation.
Once the investigation is completed, the results are usually published in public reports that also contain policy recommendations.
The reports tend to lead to the government turning the recommendations into law.
13/11: Hindus angered by Deepavali jeer from Khairy...
Left: Khairy Jamaluddin ( KJ ), UMNO Deputy Youth leader & son-in-law of Prime Minister Badawi of MalaysiaRight: UMNO Youth Chief aka Minister of EDUCATION kissing the keris.
Umno Deputy Youth Leader and the Prime Minister's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin has offended Hindus and the Indian community by attacking Indian newsvendors at the recent Umno General Assembly.
We are outraged when Khairy blamed Indians as the cause why Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's presidential address at the Umno General Assembly was not published on Thursday which is deepavali day and a press shut down day.
It is foolish to blame newsvendors for your own foolishness to fix the Umno assembly on a deepavalli day.
Why were the Umno officers so slack. Everybody knows that deepavali is a pores shut down day and there will be no newspapers. But Umno and Datuk Seri Abdullah when ahead and now blame the poor vendors.
Khairy said "Today is the first time the Umno president's speech is not being read by the masses because a particular ethnic group controls the distribution line of newspapers and they are on holiday."
Yes, true. Who is too blame, Umno or the poor newsvendors.
The holding of the Umno General Assembly during Deepavali, a gazette public holiday, had also upset many Malaysians, both Hindus and non-Hindus, as it seems to point to a growing pattern of insensitivity by the powers-that-be in the country.
If the MIC, MCA or Gerakan had held their annual party assemblies during Hari Raya holidays, it would have been regarded as highly insensitive, offensive and unacceptable – and undoubtedly pressures would have been brought to bear to move such assemblies to another date.
Why wasn't the same consideration given in the case of this year's Umno General Assembly clashing with Deepavali – as the excuse that Abdullah had a "tight schedule" is simply just unacceptable?
Newsvendors wake up at 3am to start distributing newspapers from 5am. They work very hard and their labour should be admired and respected not belittled.
Khairy should apologies to the Indian community for his uncalled-for and most unwarranted aspersions on the Indian community yesterday.
M. Kulasegaran
18/11: 3 groups lodge reports against blogger
New Straits Times
Three police reports were lodged against blogger Jeff Ooi for allegedly defaming the country, government and police force.
The reports were lodged by the Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association, Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress and Pertubuhan Seni Silat Ikatan Kalam Malaysia against a statement issued by Ooi to an Al Jazeera reporter. The statement was allegedly broadcast on YouTube following an illegal gathering on Nov 10 organised by a coalition of opposition parties and non-governmental organisations calling itself Bersih.
The police reports were lodged at the Sentul police headquarters yesterday about 4.30pm.
The complainants want Ooi to be investigated, alleging that the interview given to Al Jazeera not only tarnished the image of the country but was also seditious and caused racial tension.
Ooi is also alleged to have given inaccurate information to Al Jazeera in stating that the police used unnecessary force in dispersing the demonstrators.
Three police reports were lodged against blogger Jeff Ooi for allegedly defaming the country, government and police force.
The reports were lodged by the Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association, Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress and Pertubuhan Seni Silat Ikatan Kalam Malaysia against a statement issued by Ooi to an Al Jazeera reporter. The statement was allegedly broadcast on YouTube following an illegal gathering on Nov 10 organised by a coalition of opposition parties and non-governmental organisations calling itself Bersih.
The police reports were lodged at the Sentul police headquarters yesterday about 4.30pm.
The complainants want Ooi to be investigated, alleging that the interview given to Al Jazeera not only tarnished the image of the country but was also seditious and caused racial tension.
Ooi is also alleged to have given inaccurate information to Al Jazeera in stating that the police used unnecessary force in dispersing the demonstrators.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
MINORITY RIGHTS by HINDRAF
Hindraf appeal to Gordon Brown to refer Malaysia to World Court (&) and international criminal court
HINDRAF
Hindu Rights Action Force
No. 135-3-A, Jalan Toman 7,
Kemayan Square,
70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia. Tel : 06-7672995/6
Fax: 06-7672997 Email waytha@hotmail.com
15.11.2007
The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown
Prime Minister of the United Kindom
10 Downing Street, Fax: +442079250918
London, URGENT
SW1A 2AA
Dear Sirs,
RE: 1. COMMONWEALTH ETHNIC INDIAN PEACE LOVING SUBJECTS IN MALAYSIA PERSECUTED BY GOVERNMENT BACKED ISLAMIC EXTREMIST VIOLENT ARMED TERRORIST WHO LAUNCHED A PRE DAWN VIOLENT ARMED ATTACK AND DESTROYED THE KG JAWA MARIAMAN HINDU TEMPLE AT 4.00 A.M THIS MORNING (15.11.2007).
2. APPEAL FOR U.K TO MOVE EMERGENCY U.N RESOLUTION CONDEMNING “ETHNIC CLEANSING” IN MALAYSIA.
3. APPEAL TO REFER MALAYSIA TO THE WORLD COURT AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT FOR CRIMES AGAINST IT’S OWN ETHNIC MINORITY INDIANS.
We refer to the above critical matters in Malaysia but which generally gets the least attention locally even by the Opposition parties, Ngo’s, the Malaysian human rights commission and the media for this community is generally regarded as politically insignificant, do not draw local or international funding and are deemed not pressworthy. To the contrary the Malaysian government has successfully projected itself to the world as a modern Islamic thinking country which is not true.
The ethnic minority Indians in Malaysia were brought in to Malaysia by the British some 200 over years ago. Since independence in 1957 the Malaysian Indians have been permanently colonialised by the Islamic fundamentalist and malay chauvinists UMNO led Malaysian government. Among the recent atrocities committed by this government are as follows:-
1. 100 over Indians were slashed and killed by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government in the Kampung Medan mini genocide. Despite numerous appeals, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission has refused to hold a Public Inquiry. The UMNO controlled Malaysian courts struck off a victim’s public interest civil suit for a Public Inquiry to be held without even the said UMNO controlled government having to file in their defence. The UMNO controlled Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police refused to investigate and / or initiate an inquest into the death of at least six Indians in this tragedy despite.
2. Every week one person at average is killed in a shot to kill policy and in every 2 weeks one person is killed in police custody. About 60% of these victims are Indians though they form only 8% of the Malaysian population.
3. In every three weeks one Hindu temple is demolished in Malaysia The latest being the demolishment of the Mariaman temple in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam, Selangor early this morning (15.11.2007) and the next being the (Mutaiya) Hindu temple in Sungai Petani scheduled for the 29.11.2007. A violent armed pre dawn attack at 4.00a.m this morning was launched by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government backed by about 600 police, riot police, Islamic extremist and armed terrorists which completely destroyed this temple. In an attack two weeks ago, uniformed police, riot police and city Council officers hurled rocks and attacked unarmed Hindu devotees with knives, sticks and iron rods (see www.malaysiakini.com for pictures). At least 20 Hindu devotees were seriously injured and 19 arrested including 4 of their United Kingdom trained lawyers in direct violation of Article 5 (Right to life) Article 8 (Equality) Article 11 (Freedom of Religion) Section 295 (defiling a place of worship), Section 296 (disturbing a religious assembly), 298A(causing racial disharmony) and Section 441(criminal trespass) of the Malaysian Penal Code. These authorities are plagued by an above the law mindset and in fact liberally take the law into their own hands. These atrocities however does not happen to almost all Islamic places of worship. Please visit www.policewatcmalaysia.com for further and better particulars.
4. State sponsored direct discrimination against the Indians in Public University intakes, Indian (Tamil) Schools, skills training institutes, civil service and private sector job opportunities, business and licence opportunities and in almost all other aspects of daily life.
Despite our hundreds of letters, appeals and pleas to the Malaysian King and Sultans, the Prime Minister, Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Ministers, Chief Ministers and the latest being our letters to the Prime Minister dated 29.10.2007 and 30.10.2007 and to the Attorney General dated 1.11.2007 the Malaysian authorities are only proceeding with greater ferocity and with impunity with very little regard for the Federal Constitution and laws of Malaysia. So please help us.
CONCLUSION
We fear that this peace loving Indian community of Tamil origin having been pushed to the corner and the persecution getting worse by the day may be forced to into terrorism in a matter of time as what has happened to the Sri Lankan Tamils. ( Personally, I do not share this view )
APPEAL
On our part we are committed to a peaceful and lawful struggle and pray and appeal that the Government of the United Kingdom:-
1. Moves an emergency United Nations resolution condemning these state sponsored atrocities and persecutions of Malaysian Indians in Malaysia.
2. Refers Malaysia to the World Court and the International Criminal Court for Crimes against it’s own ethnic minority Indians
Thank You,
Yours Faithfully
P.Uthayakumar
Legal Adviser
013-3504711
c.c
Senior Private Secretary to Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II
Buckingham Palace Post / Fax:
London
The Rt Hon David Miliband MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH
Email: firstname.surname@fco.gov.uk
Fax: 020 7008 4467
Your Excellency RT.HON. Mr.Banki Mon,
Secretary General of the United Nations Fax: 0012129634879/4360
UN Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York NY 10017
s.k The Honourable
Keeper of the Royal Seal Post/Fax:20704646
Istana Negara, (Malaysian Palace) Malaysia
Jalan Istana
Kuala Lumpur
Private Secretary to HRH the Sultan of Perak Post/Fax:2556166
Pejabat DYMM Sultan Perak
33007, Kuala Kangsar
Secretary to
His Royal Highness, Tuanku Duli Yang Maha Mulia,
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin
Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj
The Sultan of Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia,
Istana Klang, Jalan Istana Klang, Selangor Malaysia
Y.A.B. DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Block Utama,
Bangunan Perdana Putra, Fax: 88883444
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 Putrajaya. Email: reduceredtape@pmo.gov.my
Email: abdullah@kdn.gov.my
Y.A.B. Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak
Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Chairman
National Implementation Action Body Fax:88883983
Aras 4, Blok Barat, Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62502 Putrajaya
Y.B D ato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Bin Abdul Aziz
Law Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law)
Chairman
Parliamentary Human Rights Caucas, Fax:88894177
Aras 4 Block Barat, Bangunan Perdana Putra
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan, Persekitaraan 62502
Putrajaya
Y.Bhg.Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail
Attorney General of Malaysia
Aras 1-8, Block C3, Parcel C Fax:88889369
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan Email: ag@atgc.gov.my
62512 Putrajaya
Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri Khir Toyo
Menteri Besar Negeri Selangor,
Tingkat 21, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Fax: 55190032
40503 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Tan Sri Abu Talib
Chairman
Malaysian Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Malaysian Human Rights Commission
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut 50350
Kuala Lumpur
Y.B. Sdr Lim Kit Siang
Opposition Leader,
Parliament Malaysia Fax:603-79575718
Bangunan Parlimen Email: Yoke12@Pc.Jaring.My
Jalan Parlimen 50680 Kuala Lumpur
Y.B. Datuk Seri Utama Dr.Rais Yatim
Minister for Culture Arts and Heritage
Pejabat Menteri
Aras 35, Menara TH Perdana
1001 Jalan Sultan Ismail
50694 Kuala Lumpur E-mail:fizo2811@g.mail.com
Ambiga Sreenivasan
Chairman
Bar Council Malaysia Email: council@malaysianbar.org.my
No.13, 15 & 17, Leboh Pasar Besar
Kuala Lumpur
Your Excellency Mr.Banki Mon,
Secretary General of the United Nations
United Nations New York N.Y. Fax:0012129634879/4360
10017 USA
Paul Hauch Fenger
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Fax:41(0)229179703
UNOG-OHCHR
CH-1211, Geneva 10 Email: phauchfenger@ohchr.org
Petitions Team
Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights Fax:+41 22 917 9022
UNOG-OHCHR
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland tb-petitions@ohchr.org
SENAT
Human Rights Committee
15, rue de Vaugirars
75291 PARIS Cedex 06
Standard: +33 (0) 1 42 34 20 00
Telex: 205-773 F SENAT PARIS
Telecopie: + 33 (0) 1 42 34 26 77
Human Rights Council of Australia Inc.
PO B ox 1071 Tel: +61 (0) 2 9957 5200
North Sydney NSW 2059 Fax: +61 (02) 9957 4063
Australia Email: Patrick Earle pearles@optusnet.com.au
Human Rights Commission
135 State Street, Drawer 33
Montpelier, Vermont 05633-6301
Human.rights@state.vt.us
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street
18th Floor New York
NY 10004
Commissioner for Human Rights
Council of Europe Commissioner.humanrights@coe.int
LIBERTY
21 Tabard Street Tel: 0207403 3888
London SE1 4LA Fax: 020 7407 5354
Email: info@liberty-human-rights.org.uk
H.E.William boyd Mccleary
High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Malaysia
No.185, Jalan Ampang Fax: 21702370
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Movement Against Racism and For Friendship
Between Peoples
MRAP, 43 Boulevard Magenta Tel: 01 53 38 99 99
75010 Paris Fax: 01 40 40 90 98
Peace Brigades International France
21 ter, rue Voltaire
75011 Paris
T. Kumar
Advocacy Director
Asia and Pacific
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Tel: 202.544.0200 Ext.224
5th Floor, Washington DC 20003 Fax:202.546.7142
Email: tkumar@aiusa.org
Veena Siddharth
Washington Director
Human Rights Watch Tel: 202-612-4341
1630 Connecticut Ave., N.W. 202-612-4321
Suite 500 Fax: 202-612-4333
Washington, D.C. 20009 Email: siddhav@hrw.org
Matthew Easton
Senior Associate
Human Rights Defenders Program Tel: (212)-845-5287
333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor Fax: (212)-845-5299
New York, NY 10001 Email: EastonM@humanrightsfirst.org
www.humanrightsfirst.org
David Geer
Executive Director
Interights Tel: 44 20 7278 3230
Lancaster House 33 Islington Fax: 44 20 7278 4334
High Street London Direct Line:44 20 7843 0485
N1 9LH UK Email: dgeer@intrights.org
Yuval Ginbar
Legal Adviser
International and Legal Organizations Program
Peter Benenson House Tel: 44 020 7413 5739
1 Easton Street Fax: 44 020 7956 1157
London WCIX 0DW Email: yginbar@amnesty.org
UK
Shelina Thawer
Asia & Pacific
Programme Coordinator Tel: 44 020 7422 4215
54 Commercial Street Fax: 44020 7422 4201
London E1 6LT, UK Email: shelina.thwar@mrgmail.org
Iain Byrne
Commonwealth Law Officer
Interights Tel: 44 20 7278 3230
Lancaster House 33 Islington Fax: 44 20 7278 4334
High Street London
N1 9LH UK Email: ibyrne@intrights.org
Ryan Schlief
Amnesty International
Asia-Pacific Programme
1 Easton Street Tel: 44020 7413 5500
London WCIX 0DW Fax: 44 0 7413 5722
United Kingdom Email: rschlief@amnesty.org
Greg Mayne
Programme Manager
Human Rights Institute Tel: 44 0 20 7691 6868
10th Floor, 1 Stephen Street Fax: 44 0 20 7691 6544
London W1T 1AT Email: greg.mayne@int-bar.org
UK
Matthew A. Cenzer
Country Officer for Malaysia
United States Department of State CenzerMA@state.gov
2201 C Street NW, Room 5210
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: (202) 736-7056
Fax: (202) 736-4559
Karin T. Finkler
Senior Foreign Relations Advisor
Congressman Joseph R. Pitts
16th District, Pennsylvania
221 Cannon Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2411
(202) 225-2013 fax
Lisa Williams, PH.D.
Chief of Staff
Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
American Samoa
2422 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 226-4421
Fax: (202) 225-8757 Email: Lisa.Willaims@Mail.House.Gov
Hans-Joachim Hogrefe
Democratic Professional Staff
International Relations Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Human Rights Issues
Director, Human Rights Caucus
2413 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3531 hans.hogrefe@mail.house.gov
Charles E. Dujon
Legislative Director
U.S. House of Representatives
Jesse L. Jackson, JR
Member of Congress
Second District, Illinois
2419 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-0773
Fax: (202)-225-0899 E-Mail: Charles.Dujon@Mail.House.Gov
Douglas C. Anderson
Counsel
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee On International Relations
Subcommittee On Asia And The Pacific
B358 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Telephone: (202) 226-7825
Facsimile: (202) 226-7829 doug.anderson@mail.house.gov
Dennis L. Curry
Foreign Affairs Fellow
Subcommittee On Africa
Global Human Rights
And International Operations
Congressman Christopher H. Smith
255 Ford Hob
3rd & D Street SW
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-226-1745
Fax: 202-225-7491 dennis.curry@mail.house.gov
W. Keith Luse
Senior Professional Staff Member
Committee On Foreign Relations
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-6225
Tel: (202)-224-4651
Fax: (202)-228-0403Keith_Luse@foreign.senate.gov
Emilie Kao
Foreign Affairs Officer
Office Of International Religious Freedom
U.S. Department Of State
2201 C Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Phone (202) 647-0352
Fax (202) 647-3209 KaoEL@State.Gov
Scott Flipse, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Analyst
United States Commission On
International Religious Freedom
800 North Capitol Street, NW Suite 790
Washington, DC 20002
202-523-3240 ext. 23
202-523-5020 (fax) sflipse@uscirf.gov
Yuval Ginbar
Legal Adviser
International and Legal Organizations Program
Peter Benenson House
1 Easton Street
London WC1X 0DW
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7413 5739
Fax: +44 (0)20 7956 1157 E-mail: yginbar@amnesty.org
Shelina Thawer
Minority Rights International
Asia & Pacific
Programme Coordinator
54 Commercial Street
London E1 6LT, UK
+44 (0)20 7422 4215
fax +44 (0)20 7422 4201 shelina.thawer@mrgmail.org
Jolyon Ford
Commonwealth Secretariet
Human Rights Officer
Human Rights Unit
Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7747 6408 Fax: +44 (0)20 7747 6418 e-mail: j.ford@commonwealth.int
Her Excellency Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
President email: aicc@congress.org.in
Indian National Congress
24, Akbar Road
New Delhi – 110011
India
Your Excellency Mr.Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India Fax: 91-11-23019545/91-11-23016857
Prime Minister’s Office
South Block, Raisina Hill
New Delhi
Dr. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi Tel: 91-44-25670132
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Fax: 91-44-25671441/25671276
Chief Minister’s Office email: email: cmcell@tn.gov.in
Secretariat,Chennai 600 009
India
The Right Honorable Selvi J Jayalalithaa ( hopefully this is not the one who spent a cool U.S. 45 million on her adopted son's wedding )
Opposition Leader of Tamil Nadu Phone: 044-24670125/044-25672345
“Veda Nilayam”, 81/36 Poes Garden
Chennai – 600 086
Shri. Vayalar Ravi
Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Phone: 91-11-24676837/24676839
9th Floor, Akbar Bhawan Fax: 91-11-24197900
Chanakya Puri email:minister@moia.nic.in
New Delhi-110021
India
FREEDOM OF RELIGION by HINDRAF
CITY COUNSEL AND POLICE VIOLENT ATTACKS ON PADANG JAWA HINDU TEMPLE
4 lawyers arrested, 85 Million suit – Hindu temple demolish
MEDIA EVENT
5.11.2007 MONDAY
UNLAWFUL ARREST AND DETENTION OF FOUR (4) HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS ON 30-10-2007. FILING OF RM85 MILLION HIGH COURT SUIT AGAINST INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, CHIEF POLICE OFFICERS AND OCCI OF SELANGOR, OCPD AND DEPUTY OCPD OF SHAH ALAM AND GOVERNMENT OF
| MINORITY RIGHTS |
Hindraf peaceful assembly on 25.11.2007 appeal to U.N Sec.Gen
REQUEST FOR URGENT APPEAL TO MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW GATHERING OF THE POOR, UNDERCLASS AND MARGINALIZED MINORITY INDIAN COMMUNITY ON 25TH NOVEMBER 2007 AT 10.00 AM TO SUBMIT A PETITION TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND AT THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN KUALA LUMPUR.
Hindu Rights Action Force
No. 135-3-A, Jalan Toman 7,
Kemayan Square,
70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia. Tel : 06-7672995/6
Fax: 06-7672997 Email waytha@hotmail.com
RT.HON. BAN KI-MOON
United Nations Secretary General
UN Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York NY 10017 12th November 2007
Dear Sirs,
Re: Request for Urgent Appeal to Malaysian Government to allow gathering of the poor, underclass and marginalized minority Indian community on 25th November 2007 at 10.00 am to submit a Petition to Her Royal Highness the The Queen of England at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
Government of Malaysia Restricts Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association contrary to Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution.
Application for Police Permit to hold gatherings (though unnecessary) arbitrarily denied without valid reasons.
Hundreds of Police Field Force personnel (in riot gear fully armed) placed at venues to instill fear on intended participants/ roadblocks to deny access to members of public.
Intimidation and interference on Rights of Citizens to hold Peaceful Assemblies by Police Special Branch Officers and threat of arrest detention and criminal charges
Government of Malaysia suppresses National Campaign of HINDRAF (nationwide tours) to obtain 100,000 signatures in support of civil suit against the Government of United Kingdom.
http://www.policewatchmalaysia.com
Agence France-Presse - 11/16/2007 2:06 PM
Malaysia
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday he will set up a Royal Commission to investigate a video clip allegedly showing judicial corruption, media reported.
The opposition and the Malaysian Bar Council had demanded a full inquiry into the eight-minute clip of a phone call in which a well-known lawyer purportedly tells a judge he will recommend him for a senior appointment.
Abdullah told state news agency Bernama the government had decided a Royal Commission was appropriate based on the findings of a three-member panel it had appointed to investigate the affair.
"We need to determine what the scope of the commission will be," he told Bernama.
Abdullah said the three-man tribunal set up to investigate the authenticity of the video would present their findings at a cabinet meeting next week, Bernama reported.
He said the members of the commission had not yet been determined.
Lawyers held a rare protest in September after dismissing an initial probe as inadequate and the Malaysian Bar Council hailed the latest decision as a victory.
"It's a good step and this is what we have been asking for," Bar Council Vice President Ragunath Kesavan told AFP.
He said he hoped the commission would be given a wide scope for their investigation so they could learn about the problems facing the judiciary and propose changes.
Dissident former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim unleashed a furore in September when he released the video clip.
Anwar was heir apparent to former premier Mahathir Mohamad until he was sacked in 1998 after being jailed for six years for sodomy and corruption.
The sodomy conviction was overturned but the corruption verdict stands, barring him from standing for public office until April 2008.
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