The detention of Mohd Hilmi Hasim under the new Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) early this month is a violation of international human rights standards as he continues to be held without being charged or allowed access to legal representation.

Human rights NGO Suaram said police have to date also refused to divulge the location at which Hilmi is being held.

On Feb 7, Himli was arrested along with his boss, former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Yazid Sufaat and Halimah Hussein, under under Section 4(1) of Sosma for allegedly promoting terrorist activities.

NONE Yazid and Halimah were charged at the Ampang Magistrate's Court the next day for allegedly advancing ideology aimed “intended to threaten civilians in Syria”.

“Hilmi, however, continues to be held in police custody. Despite it being seven days since his arrest, he has not been charged or tried in an open court,” Suaram executive director Nalini Elumalai ( right ) said in a statement today.

“Sosma... fails to meet international human rights standards in several key ways – including by allowing police to detain suspects incommunicado for 48 hours, thus increasing the risk of torture, and by allowing detention without charge or access to the courts for up to 28 days.”

Suaram is demanding that the authorities guarantee Hilmi’s safety and allow immediate legal access.

They urge police to charge him in open court or release him and put an end to all and any acts of harassment, intimidation and any form of torture or ill-treatment, respecting human rights and freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments.

They said Hilmi’s continued detention and denial of legal access said Suaram is not only against international human rights standards and instruments signed by Malaysia such as Sections 7 and 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but also against the federal constitution which guarantees freedoms and legal representation for Malaysians.

Sosma replaces the ISA and was gazetted in July last year, allowing detention without trial for up to 28 days, although after this period the person detained must be released if not charged.