Human rights activists protest against ISA in London

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Scores of human rights activists in London braved the chilling temperature to carry out a protest against the Internal Security Act (ISA) outside the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board in Trafalgar Square last Friday.

Organised by the Abolish ISA Movement, United Kingdom (AIM-UK), the picket aimed to draw attention to the Malaysian government's continued violation of human rights through the use of the act, which is now justified in the name of the war against terror.

The occasion was held to coincide with Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak visit to the Oxford University to deliver a speech, 'Security in the age of global terrorism'.

The Malaysian government has used the ISA - which allows indefinite detention without trial - to incarcerate six reformasi activists since April 2001.

They are Keadilan leaders Tian Chua, Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Saari Sungib, Dr Badrulamin Bahron, Lokman Noor Adam and malaysiakini columnist-cum-filmmaker Hishamuddin Rais.

The detainees, five of whom are in the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak, are being held for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government through violent means.

Mohd Ezam, who has since been convicted under the Official Secrets Act for exposing classified documents containing allegations of corruption against two senior politicians, is currently serving his two-year jail sentence in Kajang prison.

'Who wants the ISA?'

According to a press statement from AIM-UK, the protesters carried pictures of Malaysia's ISA detainees and chanted "Who wants the ISA?" and "Freedom now!".

A huge poster of human rights activist and poet Cecil Rajendra's poem 'The animal and the insect' was attached to the railings surrounding Tralfalgar Square.

The protesters cheered when they were told that news of their protest had reached Malaysia.

"A statement by Keadilan and PRM, expressing deep appreciation to the protestors was read out at the rally," AIM-UK said.

The protest was joined by member of Parliament, Jeremy Corbyn ( left ), o­ne of the growing number of British MPs opposed to the war in Iraq.

"Corbyn congratulated AIM-UK for o­n organising a demonstration that he hoped would be the first of many," it added.

Malaysiakini raid

The organisation also highlighted the recent police raid o­n independent news website malaysiakini which saw 19 of its computers confiscated. All but four servers have been returned since last Monday.

The demonstrators ended their protest with a commitment to further monthly protest at the same place.

AIM-UK is an umbrella organisation, uniting individuals opposed to the ISA. It consists of lawyers, human rights activists, journalists, students, university lecturers and committed individuals.



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