[UA-29-2003: MALAYSIA: Trial drags on and on for seven suspended university students; UP-25-2003: MALAYSIA: Media Statement on the “ISA 7” from the Aliran Executive Committee; UP-28-2003: MALAYSIA: A youth activist arrested in a student march for justice]
Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you of the acquittal of seven Malaysian students who were charged with illegal assembly on 8 June 2001.
The seven students are Rafzan Ramli, Helman Sanuddin and Zulkefle Idris from Mara University of Technology UTM; Wan Sanusi Wan Mohd Noor and Khairul Amal Mahmud from University of Malaysia; and Nik Noorhafizi Nik Ibrahim and Ahmad Kamal Abdul Hamid from University Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The AHRC previously reported on the seven students in 2003 when they were charged with illegal assembly and then suspended from their university studies for their participation in a demonstration on 8 June 2001 (for further details please see UA-29-2003, UP-25-2003and UP-28-2003).
Following their arrest, the students then spent the next four years fighting their case in court. Finally, on 22 April 2005, the seven were acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur magistrate’s court with the prosecution having failed to prove that they had organized and participated in the anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) demonstration on 8 June 2001. The prosecution also failed to prove that it was an unlawful assembly. The prosecution has yet to decide if they will lodge an appeal.
The Asian Human Rights Commission welcomes this news and wishes to thank those of you who sent letters to the authorities in relation to this case.
Thank you
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
