Apr 2002, Hunger strike in Malaysia ends

(more info)

Hunger strike in Malaysia ends

Dear all,
23 Apr 2002, Last week we sent out an appeal concerning the ISA detainees in Malyasia. Last Sunday the hunger strike ended (see below), but the campaign to address these concerns continues so please keep up the pressure and contact the Malaysian authorities.

Also contact your own ministry of foreign affairs and request them to:

express their concern to the Malay Prime Minister at the use by the Government of Malaysia of the Internal Security Act to detain indefinitely without trial political opponents and critics;
ask the Government of Malaysia to ensure that Tian Chua, Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, Badrul Amin Bahron, Lokman Nor Adam, Haji Saari Sungib and Hishamuddin Rais, all of whom Amnesty International considers to be prisoners of conscience, are released immediately and unconditionally following the first anniversary of their detention without charge or trial under the Internal Security Act in April 2002;
call for the Government of Malaysia to repeal the Internal Security Act without delay, to end the detention of those exercising their right to peaceful freedom of expression, association or assembly and to ensure that international human rights law is upheld throughout the country;
call upon their Ambassador in Malaysia to express his concern and to visit the detainees.

Abolish ISA Movement Press Release: 21 April 2002

12th Day Hunger Strike for FREEDOM

Hunger strike ends today!
Detainees say they will sue Badawi!

(Kamunting, 21 April) The hunger strike of the six ISA detainees held in the Kamunting Detention Camp was officially over when they broke off the strike with their first meal since April 10th on Sunday 21st April at 1:30 pm.

The solidarity hunger strikers subsequently stopped their hunger strike at 3:30 pm after receiving information that the six had stopped their action.

Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, one of the six detainees told family members gathered in Kamunting that they decided to break off the hunger strike due to four reasons.

"First, we considered the appeal by our leader Anwar Ibrahim who had asked us to stop. Secondly, Suhakam's announcement of an inquiry into our arrests. Thirdly, we want to prevent the solidarity hunger strikers from further damaging their health and finally we feel that part of our objectives have been fulfilled in raising awareness on the ISA locally and internationally to new heights.

AIM said the detainees are still weak but their spirits remain high. Dr. Badrul Amin and Hishamuddin Rais are still under round-the-clock medical observation.

In a signed statement by the six detainees, the detainees said they would continue to refuse food served the detention centre and only eat food brought by the family members.

The detainees also thanked the National Human Rights Commission for initiating an inquiry on their arrest and their calling for ISA detainees to be released or tried in court.

"(It) gives us an opportunity opportunity to defend ourselves, which is something that has been denied by the ISA because it does not give the right to be tried (in court) and to defend oneself."

The detainees added in the statement that news of their hunger strike had spread throughout the world. They said that there were demonstrations in various capitals; protests were raised over their detention at the United Nations Human Rights Commission and in City Council Building of Silkebourg, Denmark, a Malaysian flag was raised in the presence of the Mayor, to commemorate the detention of the six men.

The detainees reminded the public that the ISA is used by the Mahathir regime to incarcerate people without trial, merely for voicing out criticism or opposition to his rule.

"Our main concentration after this is on the visit of (Prime Minister) Mahathir to the US in May. We will work very hard to expose his hypocrisy and corruption to the American leader and the American people."

The detainees thanked all their supporters and added, "We urge every supporter in or out of the country to continue to struggle to uphold justice and to expose the real dictator named Mahathir Mohammad."