Labour rights activist Irene Fernandez remains in limbo over a ban on travelling abroad despite having filed an urgent motion of appeal at the Kuala Lumpur High Court last Wednesday.

Contacted today, Fernandez said she is still waiting for the court registrar to fix a date for her appeal hearing although her lawyers had filed the motion of appeal, accompanied by a certificate of urgency.

"I was hoping for a hearing last Thursday or Friday so that I would have the chance to go for my first meeting (on Nov 10). But nothing has come forth although we secured a certificate of urgency," she said.

The activist said she would like to appeal to be heard as she might come across similar problems in future if the matter is not resolved.

"If the registrar sets a date soon, I might still be able to make it for the Aids meeting in Canada. I have also been invited to speak at other international fora next month so I would like the appeal to be heard," she said.

Bail conditions

Fernandez walked into a fresh legal battle last week when the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court denied her access to her passport on the grounds that she could tarnish the nation's image if she is allowed to attend two international meetings.

She had to surrender her passport to the court as a part of bail conditions after being convicted of publishing false news with malicious intent last month.

As a result of the travel ban, Fernandez had been obliged to miss an experts group meeting on human rights issues at the Carter Center in the United States which started yesterday.

She would also have to forego attending the annual general meeting of the International Council on Aids Service Organisations in Toronto, Canada, unless she secures her passport by tomorrow.

Meanwhile, news that Fernandez had been banned from travelling abroad has prompted strong criticisms from international non-government organisations.

The Zimbabwe-based Southern African Network of Aids Service Organisations and the Joint United Nations HIV programme for South America said actions taken against Fernandez are a "sad embarrassment for Malaysia" as the activist is widely known for her work in human rights advocacy.

"The government of Malaysia has made a grievous error but it can be easily remedied - restore Fernandez's travel permits and let her continue to make the world a better place," said the organisations.

Last week, senior US congressman Tom Lantos issued a statement criticising the conviction against Fernandez as an attempt by the government to silence dissenting voices.