On 26th June 2008, representatives from Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) upon the
invitation of the Opposition Leader, Datin Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail held a
press conference at the entrance of the Parliament building after being
unjustifiably denied access to proceed to the lobby of the Parliament building
to hand over a Joint Memorandum in support of victims of torture in conjunction
with the International Day Against Torture, particularly those who are being
detained under the draconian ISA.
Despite being denied access to the lobby of the Parliament building, a Joint
Memorandum by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM),
Amnesty International (AI) and the Bar Council Human Rights Committee (BCHRC)
was handed over to the Opposition Leader in front of the main entrance of the
Parliament building in the presence of a number of Members of Parliament from
Pakatan Rakyat, calling on the Government of Malaysia to show its commitment
towards abolishing torture and other forms of ill–treatment by signing,
ratifying and implementing the United Nations Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as well as the
Optional Protocol to this Convention (OPCAT).
GMI, a coalition of 80 organizations, is dismayed over the unbecoming action of
denying access to concerned citizens by the administration of Parliament. GMI is
extremely appalled by this action. It was unnecessary, uncalled for,
inappropriate and disrespectful.
The act of denying access to members of the public to be present in Parliament
manifests the reversal of the concept of democracy which belittles the rights of
the people to be part of the democratic process in the administration of the
country.
The Parliament, which symbolizes the ideal of democracy, must at all times
acknowledge the rights of the people to be actively involved in the democratic
process.
The administration of Parliament should not impose ludicrous rules that would
eventually hamper the very ideal of democracy.