AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

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FACTS OF THE CASE:

On 16 July 2001, Mohamad Fuad Mohd Ikhwan, 24, president of the Student Representative Council of the Universiti Malaya, was released from detention. He had been arrested on 6 July 2001 under Section 73(1) of the Internal Security Act, which allows the police to detain anyone "acting or about to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia." Ikhwan reports that he is fine.

Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin, an electrical engineering student at the Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) in Kuala Lampur, remains in prison. Zainuddin was arrested on 5 July 2001 for his suspected involvement in workshops that were characterized by the security forces as an effort to encourage reformists and students at IKM to "overthrow the government via street demonstrations."

(Sources of information for this case include Amnesty International and the World Organization Against Torture.)

RELEVANT HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

• Article 12: (1): The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. (2): The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for: (c) The prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases; (d) The creation of conditions which would assure to all medical service and medical attention in the event of sickness.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
• Article 05: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Article 09: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
• Article 20(1): Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
• Article 26(1): Everyone has the right to education.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telegrams, faxes, airmail letters or emails:

• Welcoming the release of Mohamad Fuad Mohd Ikhwan;
• Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin as it appears that he was arrested solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression, opinion, and association;
• Urging the authorities to grant Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin full access to his lawyers, families, and any medical attention he may require and to guarantee that he will not be subjected to physical or psychological torture or ill-treatment in detention; and
• Expressing concern that students appear to be targeted with detentions and expulsions for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Dato' Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi
Ministry of Home Affairs (Menteri Dalam Negeri)
Aras 13, Blok D1
Parcel D, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
65202 Putrajaya, Selangor
Malaysia
Fax: 011 60 3 8886 8014
tpm@smpke.jpm.my
Salutation: Dear Minister of Home Affairs

Tan Sri Norian Mai
Ketua Polis Negara
Ibupejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50502 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Fax: 011 60 3 22731326 (please note that this number may not always available)
Salutation: Dear Inspector General of Police

COPIES SENT TO:

Chairman, Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM)
Ybhg. Tan Sri Musa Hitam
Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia
29th Floor
Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut
50350 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Fax: 011 603 26125620
humanrights@humanrights.com.my


Ambassador Sheikh Khaled Ghazzali
Embassy of Malaysia
2401 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20008

Please send copies of your appeals, and any responses you may receive, or direct any questions you may have to Victoria Baxter, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, 1200 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005; tel. 202-326-6796; email vbaxter@aaas.org; or fax 202-289-4950.

The keys to effective appeals re to be courteous and respectful, accurate and precise, impartial in approach, and as specific as possible regarding the alleged violation and the international human rights standards and instruments that apply to the situation. Reference to your scientific organization and professional affiliation is always helpful.

To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 90 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued.

To verify the contents of this alert and/or the electronic signature, please download the signed file for this alert along with the Program's PGP Public Key.

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