Press Release
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| UNITED NATIONS Press Release |
xxxxxxxxxx | UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THE CONVICTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER IN MALAYSIA | xxxxxxxxxx |
| The United Nations Special Rapporteur of the Commission of Human Rights on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo, and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders, Mrs. Hina Jilani, are deeply concerned over the conviction on 16 October of Irene Fernandez, director of 'Tenaganita' – a women's nongovernmental organization based in Kuala Lumpur –, who was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment by a Magistrates Court, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Irene Fernandez is highly respected both nationally and internationally for her commitment and integrity as a human rights defender and, through her work for Tenaganita, addresses human rights concerns in the context of health, domestic violence, migrant workers' rights and family law issues. Irene Fernandez was reportedly charged with 'maliciously publishing false news' in 1995 after releasing a memorandum entitled "Abuse, torture and Dehumanized Treatment of Migrant Workers at Detention Camps". The experts note that the possibility to publish reports on human rights abuses is an essential component of the right to freedom of expression and of the right and responsibility of everyone to defend human rights. They are further concerned by reports indicating that the date for submission of information to the court by Irene Fernandez's lawyers was brought forward with very little notice, leaving her defense team with little time to adequately present her case. The Special Rapporteur and Special Representative urge relevant authorities to allow Irene Fernandez's case be reviewed on appeal and, to ensure respect for the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and the right and responsibility to defend human rights. |