Forum Asia, a regional human rights group has issued a statement to condemn the decision by the Malaysian Federal Court to uphold the conviction against Malaysia’s opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy and calls for the Malaysian government to repeal all repressive laws, including the sodomy law, the Sedition Act and the Peaceful Assembly Act.
The human rights organisation had earlier described the case against Anwar as “politically-motivated”, pointing out that the manner and timing in which the High Court acquittal was overturned by the Court of Appeal in March 2014 “smacked of political persecution and contravened basic international fair trial standards”.
It had also made a statement yesterday to call for the acquittal of Anwar Ibrahim.
The whole statement by Forum Asia as below,
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the decision of the Malaysian Federal Court to uphold the conviction against Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy under Article 377B of the Malaysian Penal Code. The verdict against the opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister is a serious step backwards in an already dismal environment for the rule of law, democracy and human rights in Malaysia and is a prime example of the government’s continuing efforts to crackdown on the opposition, human rights defenders and critics.
We reiterate our call for the Malaysian government to repeal all repressive laws, including the sodomy law, the Sedition Act and the Peaceful Assembly Act as well as immediately cease its attempts to curb any dissent or silence criticism of its rule.Now more than ever, FORUM-ASIA stands in solidarity with all Malaysians in their struggle and demands for democratisation and greater respect for human rights and the rule of law.
About FORUM-ASIA:
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is a regional human rights group with 47 member organisations in 16 countries across Asia. With offices in Bangkok, Jakarta and Geneva, FORUM-ASIA addresses key areas of human rights violations in the region, including freedoms of expression, assembly and association, human rights defenders, and democratisation.
