UN expresses concern over possible Black 14 crackdown
Premesh ChandranPublished: Apr 20, 2001 2:02 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson voiced her concern about the possible crackdown against opposition leaders in the run-up to the planned mass rally scheduled for April 15.
She said that her office will actively monitor the situation and called on all parties to respect the right to peaceful expression. She voiced her concern during a half hour meeting with Nurul Izzah, 19-year-old daughter of deposed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
According to Suaram activist Elizabeth Wong, who accompanied Izzah at the meeting, Robinson said that she had been following the situation in Malaysia very closely and was very concerned.
"She said she was very glad to hear directly about the developments and expressed her sympathies for Wan Azizah and her family," said Wong in a phone interview from Geneva.
During the meeting, Izzah conveyed her father's message to the UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), which is currently meeting in Geneva, and briefed Robinson on the deteriorating situation in Malaysia.
Wong also briefed Robinson about the formation of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission. According to Wong, Robinson stressed that the commission "must follow international norms" and that the UNHRC will monitor its development.
Wong added that Robinson told them she would do whatever she could to help.
"She told us to inform her office directly if we are harassed by the authorities on our return to Malaysia," said Wong. Izzah and Wong are due to return to Malaysia tomorrow.
Last Wednesday, Izzah told the UN Human Rights Commission meeting that her father is a political prisoner and has no other recourse for justice.
"Members of this commission may think that I am naive and idealistic in seeking its help to solve the injustices in my country. The truth is, there is no other place left to seek mercy, when we cannot expect justice from the national institutions meant to protect our rights," she said.
The commission meets annually to hear cases of human rights abuse from all over the world. It has the power to pass resolutions on human rights matters and put pressure on governments to adhere to international human rights norms.
Izzah and Wong are part of a six-member Malaysian delegation to the commission to highlight Malaysia's human rights record.
She said that her office will actively monitor the situation and called on all parties to respect the right to peaceful expression. She voiced her concern during a half hour meeting with Nurul Izzah, 19-year-old daughter of deposed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
According to Suaram activist Elizabeth Wong, who accompanied Izzah at the meeting, Robinson said that she had been following the situation in Malaysia very closely and was very concerned.
"She said she was very glad to hear directly about the developments and expressed her sympathies for Wan Azizah and her family," said Wong in a phone interview from Geneva.
During the meeting, Izzah conveyed her father's message to the UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), which is currently meeting in Geneva, and briefed Robinson on the deteriorating situation in Malaysia.
Wong also briefed Robinson about the formation of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission. According to Wong, Robinson stressed that the commission "must follow international norms" and that the UNHRC will monitor its development.
Wong added that Robinson told them she would do whatever she could to help.
"She told us to inform her office directly if we are harassed by the authorities on our return to Malaysia," said Wong. Izzah and Wong are due to return to Malaysia tomorrow.
Last Wednesday, Izzah told the UN Human Rights Commission meeting that her father is a political prisoner and has no other recourse for justice.
"Members of this commission may think that I am naive and idealistic in seeking its help to solve the injustices in my country. The truth is, there is no other place left to seek mercy, when we cannot expect justice from the national institutions meant to protect our rights," she said.
The commission meets annually to hear cases of human rights abuse from all over the world. It has the power to pass resolutions on human rights matters and put pressure on governments to adhere to international human rights norms.
Izzah and Wong are part of a six-member Malaysian delegation to the commission to highlight Malaysia's human rights record.
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