We, as progressive political parties in both government and opposition worldwide, are deeply concerned about the imprisonment of Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and the escalating crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly in the country as evidenced by arrests and detentions of key opposition politicians, activists and practitioners of law.
The case of Anwar Ibrahim and the succeeding actions against the opposition raise internationally worrying questions about the independence of the judiciary, rule of law and status of human rights in Malaysia.
The selective and politically motivated prosecution of members of the opposition has a dramatic detrimental effect on political and social development in Malaysia
We call for fairness, transparency, and the rule of law. Malaysia’s government has to recognize the importance of confidence in its judicial system and has to restore trust in its commitment to human rights taking cognizance of its recent role as member of the UN Security Council and Chair of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
We urge the Malaysian government to repeal the Sedition Act, a promise made by its leader in 2012 but now overturned and demand unconditional release of those arrested because of voicing their opinions to the State and joining peaceful assemblies.
We express our full solidarity with the People’s Justice Party, the Malaysian democratic opposition movement, the family and friends of Mr Anwar Ibrahim, and the people of Malaysia. We have and will never stand inactive in witness of injustice and violation of human rights.
We will work more closely with our Malaysian alliance partner, the Democratic Action Party, in upholding the truth and delivering equal justice for all. We stand together for the principles of social justice and human rights, towards a more democratic and progressive Malaysia.
Mexico City, 26 March 2015
