Labour rights activist Irene Fernandez's family has expressed pride for her struggle and vowed to continue what she had started.

Yesterday, the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court found her guilty of maliciously publishing false news regarding the alleged abuses at immigration detention centres and sentenced her to 12 months' jail.

However, the court allowed the 57-year-old activist a stay of execution pending appeal to the High Court and set bail at RM3,000. She later posted bail and is expected to file her appeal today.

In a hand-written statement penned yesterday in court while the magistrate was delivering the verdict, her husband Joseph Paul (photo, left) voiced his indignation and incredulity at the court's complete reliance on statements by police personnel and detention centre officials.

He also criticised the court for its alleged disregard for the testimonies of former inmates and described the trial as a 'complete mockery of justice'.

"I find the findings of the court incredible especially with regards to the facts of the case of detainees being stripped, tortured, inadequate food, deplorable toilets, lack of medical care, illness, deaths, corruption and sexual abuse," he said.

Fernandez was charged under Section 8A(2) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 for releasing a memorandum at a press conference on August 1995 regarding the alleged abuses.

'Pathetic attempt'

Meanwhile, Paul also said the trial should not have taken place and labelled it as a 'pathetic attempt' to sweep aside people's conscience on the alleged wrongdoings that occur in detention centres.

He claimed that the authorities intentionally ignored the plight of migrant workers who suffer constant and unfair abuses.

"We want migrant labour to clean and build our streets and homes, to build our tallest buildings, to run our machines...

"Yet, when they are detained, very often unfairly, incarcerated, tortured and dehumanised, we do not want to know about it," he said.

He also urged the public to wake up to these violations or his wife would be paying the price for her struggle in vain.

"We can only become a truly developed and proud nation, if we have a conscience that is sensitive to the injustices and sufferings of others in our society, especially the weak, marginalised and voiceless."

"I challenge the authorities, especially those who are involved in running the camp to come forward and to swear by whatever they hold sacred, that the evidence produced by the defence is false," he added.