RECENT ARREST AND DETENTION OF ETHNIC INDIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN MALAYSIA

That this House notes with concern the recent arrest and detention without trial in Malaysia of five ethnic Indian human rights defenders from the organisation Hindraf following a peaceful gathering demanding basic rights; further notes that these men are being held by the Internal Security Act which allows detention without trial for an unspecified period; further notes that these arrests come on top of other actions taken by the Malaysian government to curtail the human rights of the minority Indian community in Malaysia including the freedom of religion; calls on the Government to make representations to the government of Malaysia on serious human rights violations against the ethnic minority Indian community; calls on Malaysia to ensure that the internationally protected rights of ethnic minority community, to peaceful assembly, expression and freedom of thought, conscience and religion are protected in accordance with international standards; and calls for the immediate release of the five held without trial.