| German Human Rights Commissioner Strässer shocked by the lengthy prison sentence against Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Posted: 11 Feb 2015 05:55 AM PST PRESS RELEASE
10.02.2015 Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, Christoph Strässer, issued the following statement on 10 February on the sentencing of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to five years in prison for the accusation of homosexuality: I was deeply shocked to hear of today's verdict against Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. I followed the criminal proceeding against Anwar Ibrahim, whom I know personally. The trial and verdict raise serious questions on the protection of human rights, the independence of the judicial system, due process and democratic development in Malaysia. The selective prosecution of members of the opposition has a detrimental effect on social development in Malaysia and on the country's international reputation. Moreover, the verdict on the grounds of alleged homosexual acts violates international Human Rights standards: No one may be persecuted because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
Background information:
On 10 February 2015, Malaysia's top court upheld the verdict against former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, who had been sentenced to five years in prison for homosexuality. Anwar Ibrahim founded the opposition movement Reformasi in 1998. He later founded the opposition party People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat), which he leads to this day. Since joining the opposition, legally questionable criminal proceedings have been brought against him. In 1999, he was accused of corruption and sodomy, for which he was sentenced to prison terms of six and nine years respectively. These verdicts were partially overturned in 2004. Website of the Federal Foreign Office: www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN |
| New Zealand disappointed by Anwar Ibrahim decision Posted: 11 Feb 2015 05:51 AM PST Foreign Minister Murray McCully says New Zealand shares the disappointment expressed by other members of the international community about the five-year prison sentence handed down to Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. "While Mr Anwar has followed every avenue open to him to have his conviction overturned and to avoid imprisonment, the severity of his sentence, coupled with recent prosecutions under the country's Sedition Act, are of concern to New Zealand," Mr McCully says. "We have followed developments in Mr Anwar's case closely, and a representative from the New Zealand High Commission in Kuala Lumpur was among independent international observers at his appeal hearing in the Federal Court against a charge of sodomy.” "New Zealand and Malaysia have a strong relationship and work closely together in the international arena – where Malaysia is a prominent voice for moderation and tolerance.” "In the spirit of promoting human rights and political freedoms we have registered our concerns with the Malaysian Government and will continue to do so," Mr McCully says. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nz-disappointed-anwar-ibrahim-decision |
| U.S. Embassy Statement on the Conviction of Anwar Ibrahim Posted: 11 Feb 2015 05:48 AM PST NEWS RELEASE
Press Office
Embassy of the United States of America
376 Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone: (603)-2168-5000
Fax: (603)-2148-9192 ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS
February 10, 2015 The United States is deeply disappointed and concerned by the rejection of Anwar Ibrahim's final appeal and his conviction. The United States has followed the trial of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim closely. The decision to prosecute Mr. Anwar, and his trial, have raised serious concerns regarding the rule of law and the independence of the courts. The United States and Malaysia have a strong partnership, and in the context of this relationship, we have regularly raised our serious concerns regarding the Anwar case with Malaysian officials and emphasized that fairness, transparency, and the rule of law are essential to promote confidence in Malaysia's judicial system and democracy. |
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