Keadilan and PRM are concerned with the tremendous increase of women prisoners as seen from the visitational report of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (Suhakam) recent visit to the Kajang Women's Prison.

Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her PRM counterpart Dr Syed Husin Ali said the more than 1,000 women held in cramped conditions increase their vulnerability to abuse, violence and diseases.

Referring to Suhakam's report that more than 70% were foreigners, both leaders said the sudden increase of women sent to prison was due to the aggressive enforcement of the amended Immigration Act which allows for detention of foreigners without valid papers.

"We believe that a large number of these women were arrested during the aggressive raids conducted at various places prior to the NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) summit to project an image of a 'clean' society," they said in a joint statement in conjunction with the International Women's Day celebration today.

"Most of these women may have been trafficked into prostitution, and being victims of trafficking (syndicated), they should be in safe houses instead of in prison."

The opposition leaders said the government had "done very little" to address the issue of trafficking of women and children.

Corruption

They said in recent weeks, more than 6,000 women were trafficked in Sabah alone and that it was time to consider effective regulatory mechanisms such as anti-trafficking laws.

Wan Azizah and Syed Husin believed that the solution was not in raids and detention of the victims but in dealing efectively with the traffickers and all enforcement agencies that work hand-in-glove with the traffickers.

"It is a well-known fact that the extent of trafficking reflects the extent of corruption."

Both also noted that the government had failed to submit two reports to the United Nations Committee o­n the Status of Women in 1996 and 2000.

The committee monitors the performance of governments to their commitment to international legal instruments.

The leaders cited a Security Council resolution of October 2000 which recognised that during periods of armed conflict and war, women and children account for most of the refugees and internally displaced persons.

They said women too have an important role to play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, as well as the importance of women's equal participation in peace and security as part of the decision-making process.

"Many women in the country have been struggling for justice and peace during the last o­ne year. The wives and daughters of Internal Security Act detainees have with vigour and resilience continued their campaign for their husbands' (and fathers') release from detention without trial," they added.

Injustice

"The women and children have been determined in campaigning for the repeal of the ISA because it violates the right to a fair trial and denies the development of a democratic nation."

In the statement entitled "No Peace Without Justice", both leaders said women's oganisations have also been struggling to reduce violence in society, especially rape, sexual harassment and violence in homes.

They said during Wanita Keadilan's "Women for Peace" campaign in conjunction with last year's International Women's Day celebration, it became clear that violence existed because of injustice and inequalities coupled with disrespect for fundamental rights.

"If these realities continue, there will o­nly be increased violence and conflicts. The present government cannot talk of peace when it continues to act unjustly and undemocratically."

The Keadilan and PRM leaders said the o­nly way the government can show its commitment to women is by releasing all ISA detainees and political opponents, has an independent and gender sensitive judiciary, and an accountable police force.