Human Rights Developments

Defending Human Rights

The Role of the International Community

The State Department, on September 24, criticized the use of the ISA to restrict the rights of Malaysian citizens. The U.S. expressed particular concern about the detention of Anwar and his associates under the ISA, as well as restrictions placed on his wife, and called for open trials under the Malaysian constitution. After Anwar appeared in public with a black eye and a bruised right hand, the State Department urged the Malaysian government to investigate reports that he had been beaten during his arrest.

As of this writing, U.S. President Clinton planned to travel to Malaysia for the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit meeting in mid-November; the White House said that he would raise concerns about human rights with Malaysian officials.

European Union
In an urgent resolution in November 1997, the European Parliament called for a review of the ISA and noted that more than 200 persons were being held under it. In May 1998, in another urgent resolution, the E.P. called for a detailed inquiry to be carried out on the circumstances surrounding the death of Indonesian immigrants in detention centers. The E.P. also deplored the fact that Acehnese asylum seekers had been handed over to Malaysian authorities by the French, Swiss, and Royal Brunei embassies in Kuala Lumpur.

The arrest of Anwar occurred during a visit to Malaysia by Queen Elizabeth II and U.K. Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. British officials initially focused on security concerns arising from the arrest and its effect on the queen’s visit, while urging Mahathir to deal with Anwar’s case “through the legal process and independently through the courts.” In a declaration issued by the Austrian E.U. presidency on October 2, the E.U. expressed its deep concern about reports of Anwar’s mistreatment, called for an investigation, and urged that action be taken against those responsible. The European Parliament also deplored the arrest of Anwar and called for his immediate release in a October resolution. The E.P. also called on the E.U. to make any new cooperation contingent upon Malaysia’s willingness to respect human rights.

Asia
Anwar’s arrest sparked unprecedented protests from neighboring states. Indonesian President Habibie and Philippines President Estrada, both personal friends of Anwar, were particularly critical, to the point that their foreign ministers were forced to state publicly that both men were speaking in their personal capacities. Both Habibie and Estrada threatened to boycott the APEC meeting but later relented; both met with Anwar’s daughter in mid-October. Demonstrations in front of Malaysian embassies took place in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, Indonesian human rights lawyers offered to help with Anwar’s defense, and Thai Muslim groups issued public statements condemning his arrest and ill-treatment.

On September 21, Australian Prime Minister John Howard expressed deep concern over the arrest of Malaysia’s former Deputy Premier Anwar Ibrahim and warned against growing authoritarianism in Malaysia. Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi also raised Anwar’s case during Prime Minister Mahathir’s visit to Tokyo from October 16-20.

In mid-October, the Asian Human Rights Commission, a Hong Kong-based regional human rights organization, launched a campaign over the Internet to seek the release of all ISA detainees.