Jul 22 2008
Uthaya rejects rehabilitation
As reported in Malaysiakini, Uthayakumar had refused to attend a rehabilitation programme organised by the police special branch on July 10. According to Waytha, Uthaya refused under the provisos of Article 95 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners which states that prisoners without charge are not subject to rehabilitation.
Uthayakumar’s detention is in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 of which Malaysia is a signatory.
(It) specifically provides that there shall be no detention without trial, provides the right to personal liberty and fair trial and that a person is innocent until proven guilty.
According to Hindraf’s lawyer, N Surendran:
Any attempt to compel him (Uthayakumar) would be illegal, unlawful and in breach of all international laws.
If they dare to force him, we will be forced to take the matter to court.
Asked if Uthayakumar’s refusal would impede the efforts to secure his release, Surendran said the former, who is a lawyer himself, was
willing to face the repercussions.
Our conditions are that he must be released unconditionally which means that he must not be obligated to attend any rehabilitation or anything of the sort.
Obviously, this means a longer stay in ISA. But I wonder why news that the other four rejected such rehabilitation did not appear. Were they not subjected to these programmes or did they agree to attend it (bearing in mind that Uthaya is the only one without a wife and kids)?
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