We the undersigned, stand in solidarity with Anwar Ibrahim, and
condemn the politically motivated charges that led to his five-year prison
sentence.
10 August 2015, marks Anwar Ibrahim’s 68th birthday and his 182nd
day as a prisoner of conscience. Prior to his imprisonment, Anwar Ibrahim was
the Leader of Malaysia’s emerging Opposition, and a prominent moderate Muslim leader who dedicated his political life to
defend democracy, uphold the rule of law and sought social justice for all.
Anwar Ibrahim’s trial took place after he led the opposition
coalition to an unprecedented electoral victory in Malaysia’s general elections
in 2013, winning 51% of the popular vote. Many believe that this blow to the
incumbent government’s power prompted Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction and
imprisonment. The trial that eventually led to Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction was
seen as biased and unfair by the independent observers who attended the
proceedings. The unfair trial, coupled with the political motivations behind it
led Amnesty International to declare Anwar Ibrahim a prisoner of conscience.
As supporters of an independent and fair judicial system, we
condemn such politically motivated convictions that serve those in power.
The political machinations behind Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction are
clear as Malaysian citizens who dared to criticise the outcome have been
investigated and/or charged under the country’s draconian Sedition Act. Many
see Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction as the beginning of an intense crackdown on
freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly in the country. The
crackdown, which is ongoing, has even extended to social media. Numerous police
investigations have been triggered over social media postings that are
perceived to be critical of the government.
As believers in the right to the freedom of expression and the
freedom of peaceful assembly, we call on the government of Malaysia to uphold
the rule of law, and to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of
its citizens.
We also note with great concern Anwar Ibrahim’s deteriorating
health, and the difficulties he has faced in receiving proper treatment. Anwar
Ibrahim’s treatment in prison is indicative of wider problems within the
Malaysian prison system.
We strongly urge the Malaysian government that touts itself as
democratic country to immediately and unconditionally release Anwar Ibrahim
from prison and uphold the principles of democracy.
John L Esposito
Georgetown University
Tariq Ramadan
Oxford University
Richard Falk
Princeton University
Noam Chomsky
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Slavoj Žižek
University of London
Alfred Stepan
Colombia University
Francis Fukuyama
Stanford University
Larry Diamond
Stanford University
Nader Hashemi
Denver University
Shahrough Akhavi
Columbia University
Louay Safi
Georgetown University
Abdelwahab El-Affendi
University of Westminster
Avi Shlaim
Oxford University
Charles Butterworth
University of Maryland
Emad El-Din Shahin
Georgetown University
Saad Eddin Ibrahim
Egyptian Activist
Mohammad Fadel
University of Toronto
Ziauddin Sardar
Muslim Institute
Karen Armstrong
Author
Tariq Modood
University of Bristol
Farid Esack
University of Johannesburg
Christos Giannou
War Surgeon
James Reardon-Anderson
Georgetown University
Tamara Sonn
Georgetown University
Mohsen Kadivar
Duke University
Harry L. Roque
Center for International Law Philippines
Augusto N. Miclat Jr.
Initiatives for International Dialogue Philippines
Herherson “Sonny” T. Alvarez
Phillipines Politician
Ricardo G. Recto
Philippines Politician
Luziminda C. Ilagan
Philippines Politician
Silvestre Bello III
Philippines Politician
General Jose T. Almonte
Philippines
Amado D. Valdez
Philippine Association of Law Schools
Fernando O. Peña
Ninoy Aquino Movement
Ferdinand S. Topacio
Lawyer Philippines
Margoux Salcedo
Philippines Journalist
Jarius and Marisa Bondoc
Columnist Philippines
Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia
Networks Of Democrats in the Arab World
Center for Citizen’s Alliance
(Global
Call from a group of globally known activists, academicians and intellectuals
declaring their solidarity with Anwar)
This
statement was also reported in http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/308029
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