Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) expresses its protest and disappointment over the latest arrest of Abdul Haris bin Syuhadi, 63, allegedly for terrorism activities. The police arrested him on 5 June 2011 at around 8.00pm at his house in Klang. GMI received the news from his family members.
An anti-ISA protest - Photo courtesy of reformisjalanan.blogspot.com
GMI strongly condemns the new arrest under the ISA. This year alone, nine people including Abdul Haris have been arrested under the ISA. Abdul Haris was arrested at his house in Kampung Batu Belah, Klang. We were told that he is a petty trader who has been selling scarves, cloth and jubah.
We are very concern about the condition and safety of Abdul Haris. We urge the government to allow the lawyers and the family to visit him immediately. We also would like to invite the family of Abdul Haris to be with GMI and fight for his rights.
GMI views the use of the ISA on Abdul Haris as against the principles of human rights, justice and international human rights standards, and its poses an inherent danger of abuse of power particularly in terms of torture or cruel and degrading treatment of detainees.
GMI values the security of the country, which is of utmost importance, but one’s entitlement to a fair trial should not be deprived on any basis.
We strongly criticise the government for practising double standards on issues related to ISA. On the one hand, it plans to review the ISA but on the other, new detentions have been carried out again and again discreetly as no prior announcements were made. This incident shows that the ISA is an arbitrary law and has been abused under the pretext of national security for political reasons.
We urge the government to charge the detainee in an open court; otherwise, he should be released without any delay and unconditionally.
Abolish the ISA!
Release all ISA detainees!
Close Kemta!
