Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Explainer: Seven ways the coronavirus affects human rights
The outbreak of the coronavirus (2019-nCov) that started in the Chinese city of Wuhan (Hubei province) in late 2019 has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of early February, the epidemic is estimated to have infected more than 24,500 people worldwide. The Chinese authorities have reported 490 deaths, mostly in Hubei province, and over 24,300 cases in total. The disease has now spread to 25 other countries and territories around the world. The response to an epidemic has the potential to affect the human rights of millions of people. First and foremost is the right…
February 10, 2020
Press Release
Malaysia: Convictions of two women sentenced to caning for having sexual relations must be quashed
Responding to yesterday’s sentencing of two women to six strokes of caning and a fine of RM 3,300 after they were convicted of attempting to have sexual relations in Terengganu state, Gwen Lee, Amnesty International Malaysia’s Interim Executive Director said: “This deeply cruel sentence marks yet another severe setback in Malaysia’s treatment of LGBTI people, which is increasingly troubling. “Across the country, LGBTI people are facing a climate of growing discrimination and persecution. Rulings such as this only affirm that Malaysia is becoming a more hostile place for its LGBTI population. “Caning is a form of cruel, inhuman and degrading…
August 15, 2018
Press Release
Malaysia: Acquittal of Zunar and others must lead to repeal of draconian sedition law
Responding to news that the Malaysian authorities have acquitted and dropped all sedition charges against political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar "Zunar" Ulhaque, lawmaker R. Sivarasa and civil rights lawyer N. Surendran, Rachel Chhoa-Howard, Amnesty International’s Malaysia Researcher, said: "Zunar, Sivarasa and Surendran have shown great courage in shining a spotlight on injustices such as corruption and abuse of power. Their acquittal is a positive development but the Malaysian authorities must do more to protect people who dare to speak out. Zunar, Sivarasa and Surendran have shown great courage in shining a spotlight on injustices such as corruption and abuse of power.…
August 1, 2018
Press Release
Malaysia: Release of prisoner of conscience Anwar Ibrahim a momentous day for human rights
The release of long-time Malaysian opposition leader and Amnesty International prisoner of conscience Anwar Ibrahim is a landmark moment for human rights in the country, the organization said today. Anwar, who has twice been imprisoned on politically motivated “sodomy” and corruption charges, received a royal pardon following last week’s election win for the Pakatan Harapan coalition led by Mahathir Mohamad. Amnesty International has campaigned on Anwar’s case for 20 years. “Anwar should never have been jailed in the first place, and his long overdue release is an important step towards the restoration of justice and human rights in Malaysia after so many years of political persecution by previous governments,” said Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General. “This day should go down as a landmark moment for human rights in…
May 16, 2018
Press Release
Arrest of famed cartoonist Zunar in Malaysia is an outrage
“The arrest of Zunar is an outrage. The charge of sedition against him must be dropped immediately and he must be unconditionally released from detention. What we are seeing is the choking of dissent in Malaysia, where repressive laws are being used to silence and punish peaceful voices under the guise of national security,” said Josef Benedict, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
November 26, 2016
Press Release
Malaysia: Journalists at risk as threats to news site mount
The Malaysian authorities must immediately take steps to protect journalists at the respected news site Malaysiakini against intimidation and threats from vigilantes, Amnesty International said today. The so-called “Red Shirts” movement, has vowed to “tear down” the offices of Malaysiakini on Saturday and continues to mount aggressive demonstrations outside them. “Everyone has a right to peaceful protest, but what the red-shirts are threatening is violence. They have a right to freedom of expression but they cannot use threat and violence to deny journalists that same right,” said Josef Benedict, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for South East Asia and the Pacific.…
November 4, 2016
Press Release
Malaysia: Sedition conviction must be quashed
The conviction of Mohammed Fakhrulrazi Mohammed Mokhtar for sedition should be quashed immediately, Amnesty International said today.
August 25, 2016
Press Release
Malaysia: National Security Council Act gives authorities unchecked and abusive powers
The National Security Council Act that comes into force today empowers the Malaysian authorities to trample over human rights and act with impunity, Amnesty International said today.
August 1, 2016
Press Release
Police must be held accountable for death in custody in Malaysia
The Malaysian authorities’ failure to hold anyone accountable for the death in custody of N. Dharmendran raises serious questions about their commitment to ending serious human rights violations, Amnesty International said today.
June 29, 2016
Press Release
Malaysia travel ban marks an escalation of the government’s crackdown on dissent
The Malaysian government’s plans to revoke or refuse to issue passports to critics is yet another demonstration of increasing intolerance in the country, Amnesty International said today.
May 18, 2016
Press Release
Malaysia: Prominent Human Rights Activist Convicted in Politically Motivated Sedition Trial
The conviction of prominent lawyer and human rights activist Haris Ibrahim of sedition highlights Malaysia’s increasing determination to crush any form of dissent in the country, Amnesty International said today.
April 14, 2016
Press Release
Execution of three men in Malaysia
After Malaysia hanged three men for murder on Friday morning local time, Amnesty International’s Campaigns Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Josef Benedict said:
March 25, 2016