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ANOTHER
BLOW FOR DR MAHATHIR
Inter-Parliamentary Union passes a
Resolution on Anwar Ibrahim
The Inter-Parliamentary
Union based in Geneva, Switzerland, has passed a Resolution
expressing its concerns about Anwar Ibrahim's trials and treatment.
In a
facsimile message received by FAC News on 5 January 2001, the
Resolution was passed at the 167th session in Jakarta, Indonesia, on
21 October 2000.
(The
full text of the three-page Resolution can be viewed here).
Among some
of the points raised in the Resolution are:
The
Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is alarmed at the
sentencing of Anwar Ibrahim and Sukma Darmawan to nine and six
years imprisonment respectively in view that the statements of
witnesses were coerced.
The
Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union reaffirms that the ill
treatment of Anwar Ibrahim while he was in police custody lends
credence to the allegations of coercion of witnesses' statements.
The
Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union reiterates its fear that
the motives for Anwar Ibrahim’s prosecution on both the
corruption and the sodomy charges were not of a legal nature and
that his case was built on a presumption of guilt.
The
Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union remains concerned at the
conclusion of Kuala Lumpur General Hospital that Anwar Ibrahim’s
state of health has considerably worsened in detention, and call
on the authorities to release him pending appeal against the
judgments handed down on him.
The
Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is appalled at the
sedition charges brought against Karpal Singh and the three-month
prison sentence against Zainur Zakaria, which was upheld on 5
September 2000 by the Court of Appeal.
The
Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union requests the Secretary
General to convey this decision to the appropriate Malaysian
authorities.
The
Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union requests the Committee on
the Human Rights of Parliamentarians to continue examining Anwar's
case and report to it at its next session in April 2001.
This is
yet another blow for Dr Mahathir's International image.
On 18
December 2000, United States Congressman, Christopher H. Smith, the
Chairman, Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights,
sent a letter to FAC News asking for an official statement from Dr
Mahathir on his statement that the seven US Congressmen supporting a
Resolution on Anwar Ibrahim "should not be Congressmen"
and that "they are not fit to become Congressmen in the most
powerful country in the world".
(The
full text of Christopher H Smith's letter can be viewed here).
Dr
Mahathir is yet to comment on the matter, issue a retraction of his
statement, or make an apology to the seven US Congressmen.
Mr Smith
added, "In addition to concerns about the irregularities
during Dato Seri Anwar's trial, the possible political motivations
behind the charges levied against him, and a number of other actions
of the Malaysian authorities discussed in detail in the resolution,
I now have grave concerns about recent reports that Anwar's health
is deteriorating rapidly and that he may not be receiving proper
medical treatment."
Mr Smith
hoped the Malaysian government will address the serious human rights
concerns expressed in the resolution as quickly as possible.
Mr Smith
promised, "If not, I will pursue the matter vigorously in
the 107th Congress."
The 107th
Congress is due to meet in a month or two and it is expected that
the Anwar Ibrahim Resolution will be pushed through thereby putting
more International pressure on Dr Mahathir.
In the
House of Representatives Resolution tabled on 27 October 2000, it
asked that:
1.
The Government of Malaysia should provide Dato Seri Anwar with due
process of law either by offering him a new trial under fair and
transparent procedures or by dismissing all charges against him.
2.
All Malaysians should be allowed to exercise their fundamental
right to peaceful expression of political opinion, without fear of
arrest or intimidation, and should be afforded due process of law
in all cases.
(The
full text of the House of Representatives Resolution H. RES. 658 can
be viewed here).
Raja
Petra Kamarudin
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