Saturday September 20, 2008 MYT 4:01:51 PM

Bar Council calls for immediate release of all ISA detainees

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar on Saturday urged the Government to immediately and unconditionally release all detainees held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

At an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) attended by 739 members, the Malaysian Bar adopted a resolution which called for the release of more than 60 ISA detainees, as well as the more than 2,000 detainees who were being detained under various preventive laws either to be set free or to be charged in court.

“There are many laws to deal with these detainees and if the authorities have evidence against them, charge in the open court to allow them to defend themselves,” said its president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.

She said the Bar strongly urged the Government to immediately repeal the ISA and the Emergency Ordinance 1969 and Dangerous Drugs Act 1985.

Ambiga told reporters that the EGM also unanimously decided to call on the Government to uphold its pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and promote a free media. Saturday’s meeting at Wisma MCA here also condemned the three show-cause letters to Sin Chew Daily, theSun and Suara Keadilan and urged the Government withdraw the letters immediately.

“Most of the members are deeply concerned about the (poor) treatment given to the ISA detainees who are living in poor condition, (given) unhealthy food and less contact with the outside world,” said Ambiga.

Former president Sulaiman Abdullah said the Government should take into consideration the challenges and trauma faced by family members of these detainees where some of their loved ones had been away for more than six years.

“It’s about time the Government repeals ISA since it can be abused against those opposing the Government,” he said.

Another ex-president, Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari, said this was not the first time that the Malaysian Bar called for the ISA to be repealed and added the law was no longer relevant to contemporary society.

Asked what would be the Bar’s next course of action if there was no favourable response from the Government on repealing ISA, Ambiga said pressure would be stepped up further on the Government via elected legislators and the support of other organisations. -- Bernama