The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) will investigate on the April arrest of 10 reformasi activists under the Internal Security Act last April to ascertain whether the law had been misused by the authorities.

"At a meeting yesterday, commissioner Anuar Zainal Abidin mooted that an inquiry into the ISA complaints be carried out, and the rest of the commissioners agreed," said commissioner Mehrun Siraj at a press conference today

She said that the panel would be headed by Anuar but the commission has yet to set a date for the inquiry.

"No time frame has been given but we would like to complete the inquiry as soon as possible," said Mehrun, adding that Anuar would kick off the probe when he returns from a trip to Geneva next month.

Mehrun said that among the witnesses to be called by the panel are families of ISA detainees.

'Hard cold facts'

In April, 10 reformasi activists were arrested under the ISA to pre-empt what the police said was a "militant attempt to overthrow the government".

Four were later released by the police, while the remaining six were sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre on June 2.

The six are Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, party Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor, party leaders Dr Badrul Amin Bahron, Saari Sungib, Lokman Nor Adam and social activist-cum-malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais.

According to Mehrun, the Suhakam inquiry would be looking at how the reformasi activists were arrested, their detention during the first 60-day under police custody and their current condition in Kamunting.

She said that the inquiry would include the ISA arrest of 24-year-old Institut Kemahiran Mara student Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin and members of the Shia faith.

"I think that our society has reached a stage where they need hard cold facts. The authorities cannot simply arrest people saying that they are a 'threat to national security', and expect people to accept that," Mehrun said.

Right to demonstrate

On a separate matter, Mehrun also revealed that Suhakam's final report on freedom of assembly has been approved by the commission and would be released soon.

"Hopefully we can call a press conference and release it to the press this Friday. But we are not sure yet as we need to discuss this with commission chairperson Musa Hitam," she said.

The 22-page report will include both short-term and long-term recommendations on the right to demonstrate, and copies had already been sent to various ministries which include the Home Ministry.

Mehrun also said that the Suhakam's report on its inquiry into the Keadilan-sponsored 100,000 People's Gathering would be released soon.

The report is the result of a five-month-long inquiry into allegations of police brutality at the Nov 5 gathering last year.

When asked about the commission's planned visit to Sarawak, Mehrun said it would also take place next month.

The visit, which was to meet indigenous tribes who have complained to Suhakam on land issues, was cancelled last week due to 'logistical problems'.

Yesterday, two Penan leaders called on Suhakam to ensure that the police acted professionally in dealing with a blockade set up to protest against encroachments into their ancestral lands.