Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI)’s campaign to call for the release of all detainees
particularly those who have been detained for 6 years under the ISA was
announced in a press conference held in the Chinese Assembly Hall on 11 April
2008.
All Malaysians are encouraged to call on the Government to release all the
ISA detainees and to repeal the ISA.
The programmes for the campaign are as follows:
1. Distribution of open letters written by the wives of the detainees
addressed to the Prime Minister of Malaysia
This particular programme was conducted and completed successfully during the
12th General Elections campaigning period. Open letters written to the PM were
distributed by candidates to the public to raise awareness of the issues.
2. Petition Signing
A Petition has been drafted and it is up here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/NoISA/petition.html. Kindly sign the
Petition if you are in support of its contents.
This programme aims to buttress a strong collective voice to repeal the ISA and
release all the detainees.
3. Letter Signing
Kindly download and send the attached letters which are addressed to:
(a) Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Minister for Internal Security and Home Affairs
(b) Ms Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
4. Postcards Signing
A specially designed postcard calling for the repeal of the ISA and release of
all detainees is being crafted, and which will be distributed soon. The proposal
is to have several collection centres where the postcards may be deposited such
as the Bar Council, Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre and SUARAM office. The
postcards will then be sent to the authorities.
5. Vigil in Kamunting and Hunger Strike
This event will be held in June 2008. All Malaysians are invited to participate.
The details for the vigil in Kamunting and the proposed hunger strike will be
informed soon.
It is also to be noted that the Bar Council Human Rights
Committee has been actively involved in these on–going efforts. Apart from
providing legal representation to the detainees, the Committee plans to conduct
fortnightly rotational visits by teams of lawyers to the Kamunting camp in
batches of 8 lawyers per team. For those who are interested to be part of the
teams, kindly email Syamsuriatina Ishak at syamsuriatina@yahoo.com.
In the spirit of justice, it is our responsibility to be part of this cause and
end this flagrant injustice and uphold the spirit of humanity. One minute of
your time gives great hope and strength to those who have been oppressed by the
use of the ISA and their family members. One minute of our time will decide the
fate and face of our nation. We can make a difference by being part of this
noble cause. Your immediate action is important.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does”
Margaret Mead