Raja Petra's deteriorating health (ALIRAN)

Aliran is seriously concerned over the deteriorating health of Raja
Petra. According to his wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, "he does not look
good and healthy at all".

The deteriorating health of Raja Petra is totally due to the callous
treatment of him by the police, who have completely ignored the
universal norms that a detainee is entitled to.

"He has been denied sleep and is being put through mental torture,"
said his wife after visiting Raja Petra.

By her account, Raja Petra had been harassed psychologically in police
custody. This stress under extreme custodial conditions has caused
Raja Petra to lose weight and he is feeling weak. This is a cause for
concern as he is suffering from a heart ailment.

"He spoke very softly and looked weak, pale and tremendously thin,"
Marina told reporters. She attributed this to the fact that Raja Petra
was suffering from a lack of sleep because the previous night, he was
harassed hourly by officers who recorded statements from him.

Marina has every right to be worried over his health because "her
husband suffers from heart artery blockages and is on medication". At
this point in time nobody can confirm if Raja Petra is taking his
medication or whether he is being monitored by a doctor.

What he is being subjected to is absolutely unacceptable and uncalled
for. What makes it worse is the fact that Raja Petra's human rights
are being violated with impunity by a country that sits as a member on
the United Nations Human Rights Council that is tasked with protecting
and preserving human rights. It makes a mockery of our position on
this Council and renders it untenable.

Raja Petra has been arbitrarily arrested, subjected to cruel, inhuman
and degrading treatment, and denied a fair and public hearing by an
independent and impartial tribunal in determining his guilt. He has
not been recognised as a person before the law and has been denied his
right to freedom of thought and conscience. All these are serious
violations which must be thoroughly condemned. This cannot be condoned
especially when the perpetrator is a member of the Human Rights Council.

Aliran calls upon the Malaysian government to stop its violation of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to release Raja Petra
immediately and to live up to its obligations as a member of the
United Nations.

Malaysians no longer believe that the Barisan Nasional has acted
honourably, objectively and sincerely in the national interests of
Malaysia in detaining Raja Petra, Teresa Kok, the Hindraf Five and all
the others under the unjust ISA.

P Ramakrishnan
President
18 September

The Malaysian government is guilty of violating Article 5 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: "No one shall be
subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment."

The Malaysian government is guilty of violating Article 6 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: "Everyone has the
right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law."

The Malaysian government is guilty of violating Article 9 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: "No one shall be
subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile."

The Malaysian government is guilty of violating Article 10 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: "Everyone is
entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an
independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights
and obligations and of any criminal charge against him."

The Malaysian government is guilty of violating Article 18 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: "Everyone has the
right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right
includes freedom to change to change his religion or belief, and
freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or
private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice,
worship and observance."

Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN)
(National Consciousness Movement)
103 Medan Penaga, 11600 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 (0)4 658 5251
Fax: +60 (0)4 658 5197
e-mail: alirankn@hotmail.com