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 28 July 2001, Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin was released unconditionally. According to reports from Amnesty International, he is doing fine, but did not give specific information about his treatment during his 23-day detention.

Zainuddin, 24, is an electrical engineering student at the Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) in Kuala Lampur. He 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."

Zainuddin's release comes a week after another student, Mohamad Fuad Mohd Ikhwan , was also released from detention. Ikhwan, 24, is the president of the Student Representative Council of the Universiti Malaya. He was 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."

On 25 July 2001, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission Suhakam announced that it was initiating an investigation into the recent arrests of individuals advocating for a reform of the Internal Security Act.

(Source of information for this case is Amnesty International)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

No further action is requested at this time. Many thanks to all those who sent appeals.

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