The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) is meeting with the authorities to seek the early release of the seven reformasi activists held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) since last week.

"Whatever the persuasive process, we do have to have meetings with the authorities," chairperson Musa Hitam told journalists in Parliament House's lobby today.

Asked to elaborate, he said that Suhakam has made its stand on the ISA arrests clear in an earlier statement.

"We have said enough," he said, adding that the commission would not indulge in a public debate on the issue.

Last Wednesday, Suhakam issued a press statement calling for the immediate release of those nabbed under ISA, which allows detention without trial, for allegedly planning to overthrow the government through "militant means".

This has provoked strong criticisms from de facto law minister Rais Yatim, who chastised Suhakam for overstepping its boundaries.

Problem laws identified

Meanwhile, Musa said that the Suhakam's maiden annual report for 2000 did not call for a review of laws deemed incompatible with human rights because the commission is still examining the matter.

He said the report has identified a number of laws to be reviewed, and its recommendations will follow after the commission has completed the process of consultation with a number of bodies.

"We have to talk not only to the opposition and Bar Council, but also to the government," he said. "Democracy needs patience, consultation and a lot of tolerance," he added.

Suhakam in its first annual report released today named a dozen of laws including the ISA, Official Secrets Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Universities and University Colleges Act, for review by the commission.

Musa added that the Suhakam report also contained a provisional recommendation about the freedom of assembly which calls on the police to identify areas allocated for public rallies and provided a standardised guidelines for organisers of such outdoor events.

"The political environment in this country seems to request urgent attention on this particular issue," he said, explaining the reason for adding the interim recommendations.

Greater inputs

Earlier, Musa presented the Suhakam report to the speaker of Dewan Rakyat, Mohamed Zahir Ismail.

He said that he had a discussion with the speaker regarding the commission's recommendations on democratising the legislative process.

Suhakam has recommended that bills should be referred to a select committee of parliament of state assemblies after the first reading for greater inputs from the public.

It also urged the authorities to cease the common practice of declaring draft legislation as official secret before it is tabled in Parliament.

"We are going to help and play a role in helping the legislative process," he said. "Whether they (member of parliaments) will debate or read the report, we leave it to them," he said.