A group of 105 non-governmental organisations today gave their "full support and confidence" to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to gain immediate access to the 10 people detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) since April 10.

"We call upon the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, as the defender of human rights, to enforce the Act to the fullest in the discharge of the duty to protect and promote the human rights of Malaysians," so stated their resolution that was passed at a national consultation on Suhakam's progress, held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

"We also call upon Suhakam to take all necessary steps and exercise their full powers to visit the detention centre and gain access to and see all the ISA detainees immediately and ensure their safety."

Present for Suhakam was vice-chairperson Harun Hashim, with panellists Dr Collin Nicholas, Dr Nasir Hashim, Irene Fernandez and Irene Xavier.

Chaired by Param Curamaswamy, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Judicial Independence, the consultation entitled 'Suhakam after one year: Has the state of human rights improved in Malaysia?' is jointly-organised by Education and Research Association for Consumers (Era Consumer) and human rights organisation Suaram.

The 10 detained are Keadilan leaders Tian Chua and Dr Badrul Amin Baharom; party Youth leaders Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, N Gobalakrishnan, Abdul Ghani Haroon, Saari Sungib and Lokman Noor Adam; Free Anwar Campaign webmaster Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin; social activist-cum- malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais; and human rights activist Badaruddin Ismail.

Families of Raja Petra and Badrul have been allowed to visit them on Thursday and Friday, respectively, while those of Saari and Lokman will meet them next week.