FMT:
Fawad’s deportation ‘not authorised’, says lawyer
P Waytha Moorthy claims that the way the Pakistani journalist was sent home is ‘troubling’.
Pakistani authorities recently revealed that journalist Syed Fawad Ali Shah is at a jail in Peshawar.
PETALING JAYA: The deportation of Pakistani journalist Syed Fawad Ali Shah has been described as “extrajudicial” (not legally authorised) by his family’s Malaysian lawyer, who says it ran afoul of international law.
P Waytha Moorthy said the manner in which Fawad was sent back to Pakistan was “troubling”, alleging that he was placed on a stretcher by Pakistani intelligence officers and put on a plane after bypassing immigration.
“This is an unconstitutional and extrajudicial act. The Malaysian government must seek guarantees that his life will not be threatened,” he told FMT.
Fawad, who had spent more than 10 years in exile in Kuala Lumpur, went missing last August. He wrote articles critical of the Pakistani government from here, which were published in dailies in his home country.
According to Waytha, Pakistani authorities had initially told Fawad’s wife, Syeda, that he was not in their country, but recently, they admitted that he was being held in a jail in Peshawar.
Syeda said Fawad had complained of being confined for a long time in an underground cell where he was physically abused.
Waytha questioned the Malaysian government’s role in Fawad’s deportation as he enjoyed UNHCR refugee status following claims of persecution in his home country.
“Fawad is a protected person under the Geneva Convention,” said Waytha, who urged the home minister to find out whether the immigration authorities had violated the Federal Constitution and international laws, and to take appropriate action.
Meanwhile, Pakistan-based lawyer Imaan Hazir questioned whether the Malaysian government was “negligent” or even “complicit” in the matter.
She challenged the suggestion that Fawad was wanted for “disciplinary” issues in Pakistan.
“It doesn’t make sense. If that was true, why is there no disciplinary case against him? The first information reports against Fawad do not claim that he is a police officer,” she said.
Pakistan is believed to have detained Fawad on accusations of “defamation”, “intimidation” of officials, and posting “false, frivolous and fake information” online.
He is said to have been granted bail in one case, but another matter against him remains active.
FMT has contacted the home minister for comment.
PETALING JAYA: The deportation of Pakistani journalist Syed Fawad Ali Shah has been described as “extrajudicial” (not legally authorised) by his family’s Malaysian lawyer, who says it ran afoul of international law.
P Waytha Moorthy said the manner in which Fawad was sent back to Pakistan was “troubling”, alleging that he was placed on a stretcher by Pakistani intelligence officers and put on a plane after bypassing immigration.
“This is an unconstitutional and extrajudicial act. The Malaysian government must seek guarantees that his life will not be threatened,” he told FMT.
Fawad, who had spent more than 10 years in exile in Kuala Lumpur, went missing last August. He wrote articles critical of the Pakistani government from here, which were published in dailies in his home country.
According to Waytha, Pakistani authorities had initially told Fawad’s wife, Syeda, that he was not in their country, but recently, they admitted that he was being held in a jail in Peshawar.
Syeda said Fawad had complained of being confined for a long time in an underground cell where he was physically abused.
Waytha questioned the Malaysian government’s role in Fawad’s deportation as he enjoyed UNHCR refugee status following claims of persecution in his home country.
“Fawad is a protected person under the Geneva Convention,” said Waytha, who urged the home minister to find out whether the immigration authorities had violated the Federal Constitution and international laws, and to take appropriate action.
Meanwhile, Pakistan-based lawyer Imaan Hazir questioned whether the Malaysian government was “negligent” or even “complicit” in the matter.
She challenged the suggestion that Fawad was wanted for “disciplinary” issues in Pakistan.
“It doesn’t make sense. If that was true, why is there no disciplinary case against him? The first information reports against Fawad do not claim that he is a police officer,” she said.
Pakistan is believed to have detained Fawad on accusations of “defamation”, “intimidation” of officials, and posting “false, frivolous and fake information” online.
He is said to have been granted bail in one case, but another matter against him remains active.
FMT has contacted the home minister for comment.
***
kt comments:
Malaysia (when under Mahathir) had been (and still is) notorious for extraditing people under UN Refugee auspices eg's.
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Malaysia Extradites Thai Woman Wanted Over Anti-Monarchy Activities
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad gives a thumbs up during a news conference in Putrajaya, the nation’s administrative capital, May 9, 2019.
kt comments: He didn't and still doesn't give an e;f;f; about Human Rights, UN or whatever.
Malaysia extradited a woman wanted by Thailand for anti-monarchy activities after Bangkok requested her deportation, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Tuesday, but a leading human rights group said the move violated legal obligations because the deportee had sought asylum abroad.
Praphan Pipithnamporn, who was registered as an asylum seeker by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), was sent back to Thailand on May 10 after Malaysian police arrested her last month on Bangkok’s request, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.
“If there is a request, then we will send back,” Mahathir told a news conference. “(We are a) good neighbor.”
Praphan was sent home based on a January arrest warrant issued by Thai authorities, who accused her of sedition for alleged involvement with the Organization for Thai Federation, a peaceful anti-monarchy group, HRW said in a statement.
“Malaysia’s flouting of international law has placed a Thai activist at grave risk of arbitrary detention and an unjust prosecution in Thailand,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Malaysia extradited a woman wanted by Thailand for anti-monarchy activities after Bangkok requested her deportation, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Tuesday, but a leading human rights group said the move violated legal obligations because the deportee had sought asylum abroad.
Praphan Pipithnamporn, who was registered as an asylum seeker by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), was sent back to Thailand on May 10 after Malaysian police arrested her last month on Bangkok’s request, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.
“If there is a request, then we will send back,” Mahathir told a news conference. “(We are a) good neighbor.”
Praphan was sent home based on a January arrest warrant issued by Thai authorities, who accused her of sedition for alleged involvement with the Organization for Thai Federation, a peaceful anti-monarchy group, HRW said in a statement.
“Malaysia’s flouting of international law has placed a Thai activist at grave risk of arbitrary detention and an unjust prosecution in Thailand,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
***
Middle-East Monitor:
Rights group: Malaysia bears responsibility for safety of 5 men deported to Egypt
March 21, 2019
The Sphinx International Airport in Egypt on 12 October 2018 [mahmouedgamal44 / Twitter]
March 21, 2019
The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in UK held the Malaysian authorities fully responsible for the safety of five Egyptians and an unidentified sixth person who were handed over to the Egyptian regime and another country on 5 March.
Mohamed Abdel Aziz Fathi Eid, Abdullah Mohamed Hisham Mustafa, Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz Ahmed Mustafa, and Azmi El Sayed Mohammed Ibrahim and two others were detained by Malaysian police and interrogated for more than a month. They were then handed over to Egypt on 5 March. Their fate now remains unknown.
The Organisation added that the Malaysian authorities handed the five Egyptians to the regime despite knowing the dangers this would put them in.
The Egyptian regime has repeatedly used torture, mass murder and enforced disappearances in dealing with its pro-democracy activists, in violation of all international covenants and conventions.
The extradition of the six men was carried out in secrecy as a result, AOHR added, without the matter being investigated by the Malay judiciary.
READ: Malaysia extradites 4 Egyptians held on security charges
Twenty-seven-year-old Abdullah Mohamed Hisham Mustafa's wife said then men were not given access to lawyers in Malaysia and they have not been told why they were detained.
March 21, 2019
The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in UK held the Malaysian authorities fully responsible for the safety of five Egyptians and an unidentified sixth person who were handed over to the Egyptian regime and another country on 5 March.
Mohamed Abdel Aziz Fathi Eid, Abdullah Mohamed Hisham Mustafa, Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz Ahmed Mustafa, and Azmi El Sayed Mohammed Ibrahim and two others were detained by Malaysian police and interrogated for more than a month. They were then handed over to Egypt on 5 March. Their fate now remains unknown.
The Organisation added that the Malaysian authorities handed the five Egyptians to the regime despite knowing the dangers this would put them in.
The Egyptian regime has repeatedly used torture, mass murder and enforced disappearances in dealing with its pro-democracy activists, in violation of all international covenants and conventions.
The extradition of the six men was carried out in secrecy as a result, AOHR added, without the matter being investigated by the Malay judiciary.
READ: Malaysia extradites 4 Egyptians held on security charges
Twenty-seven-year-old Abdullah Mohamed Hisham Mustafa's wife said then men were not given access to lawyers in Malaysia and they have not been told why they were detained.
***
kt comments:
Malaysia: Government secures seat at UN Human Rights Council
28 October 2021
On October 15, Malaysia secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2022 – 2024 term with 183 votes. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges the Malaysian government to fulfil its role in upholding human rights in and create a safe and enabling environment for the media to carry out its responsibilities without fear of discriminatory restrictions or interference.
28 October 2021
On October 15, Malaysia secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2022 – 2024 term with 183 votes. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges the Malaysian government to fulfil its role in upholding human rights in and create a safe and enabling environment for the media to carry out its responsibilities without fear of discriminatory restrictions or interference.
View of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on August 24, 2021. Credit: Fabrice Coffrini / AFP
Malaysia has won one of the 18 seats on the UNHRC, reflecting the country’s determination to continue to make progress to protect and promote human rights, both domestically and internationally. The appointment comes at a critical juncture for Malaysia, as the nation recovers from the social and economic effects of COVID-19.
Announcing the news on social media, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, “We are ready to play an active role - to be the facilitator for conciliation, enabler for cooperation, and builder of consensus.”
“Malaysia will work closely with UN Member States to advance the global human rights agenda, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” the Prime Minister continued.
Ahead of its win, Malaysia made voluntary pledges to undertake the Universal Periodic Review, an examination of human rights records of all UN member nations, and to cooperate with relevant UN agencies and engage constructively with the HRC.
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kt comments: WTF!!!
1) "If there is a request, then we will send back,” Mahathir told a news conference. “(We are a) good neighbor.”
ReplyDeleteComment: the master liar lies shamelessly with a straight face. If Malaysia is such a good neighbour, then explain why Zakir Naik is still in Malaysia; even given PR status.
2) “Malaysia will work closely with UN Member States to advance the global human rights agenda, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” the Prime Minister continued."
Comment: another comedy night!!
The UNHRC would gain its lost prestige if it cancels Malaysia's membership in the UNHRC.