Amnesty Int Status Report on Malaysia

Freedom of expression was restricted, with bloggers prosecuted and peaceful demonstrators frequently arrested. At least two people died in police custody. Migrant workers, refugees and asylum-seekers faced arrest, detention, and ill-treatment in detention camps. Malaysia rejected recommendations made under the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly, and to ratify the UN Refugee Convention and the UN Migrant Workers Convention.

Amnesty Int World Overview of the Death Penalty 2009

Amnesty International on March 30th published its world overview of the death penalty for 2009. The report, Death Sentences and Executions in 2009, reveals that at least 714 people were executed in 18 countries and at least 2001 people were sentenced to death in 56 countries last year.

Latest Update:Re the case of Yong Vui Kong

The Court of Appeal reserved judgement today in the case of convicted Malaysian teenage offender Yong Vui Kong, who has challenged the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence he received.Please visit the link below to read further.

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/03/judges-reserve-judgement-in-yongs-mandatory-death-penalty-appeal/

Additional Info

Yong Vui Kong was arrested in June 2007, when he was 19, by officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau. He was charged with trafficking 42.27 grams of heroin, and then sentenced to death in January 2009.

Yong was convicted under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which provides that anyone found guilty of illegally importing, exporting or trafficking more than 15 grams of heroin will automatically receive a mandatory death sentence.

On December 8,The Court of Appeal granted Yong Vui Kong an extension of time to have his appeal heard.Yong, who was originally scheduled to be hanged on 11 th of December 2009.

Yong Vui Kong’s lawyer has appealed on the grounds that the mandatory death sentence for drug-trafficking, which is set out in the Misuse of Drugs Act, is unconstitutional, and therefore his case should be referred back to the trial judge for “reconsideration.”

Hamdi al-Ta’mari freed, thanks Amnesty members

14 January 2010  

On December 14, 2009, 17 year-old Palestinian student Hamdi al-Ta’mari was released from prison after nearly one year. He is now at home with his family. The Israeli military had held Hamdi al-Ta’mari without charge from July to November 2008 and again since December 2008.

Important Update:The Execution of Yong Vui Kong

Dear Friends

Update: We just received the news from the Think Centre,Singapore that the execution of of M’sian teenage offender Yong Vui Kong that were scheduled for the 11 of December is now postponed.

Urgent:M’sian Teenage Offender To be Hanged on 11 of Dec

 Yong Vui Kong received a stay of execution on 3 December, but is now scheduled for execution on 11 December. His appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeals on 8 December.

Urgent Action:Malaysian Teenage Offender facing the Death Penalty in Singapore

Yong Vui Kong was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in January 2009. He had exhausted his appeals by October, and can now escape execution only if the president grants clemency.

Joint NGO Press Statement:Death In Custody

Immigration Detention Centres: How many more must die?
25 September 2009

On 3 September 2009, it was reported that a Burmese detainee at KLIA Immigration Detention Centre died on 29 August 2009 due to an unknown illness and six other detainees with similar symptoms were hospitalised at Putrajaya General Hospital[1]. Today, 25 September 2009, it was reported that six Burmese detainees have died at an undisclosed detention centre allegedly due to Leptospirosis[2]. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that occurs due to water or food contaminated by animal urine.

IRAN:SEVEN BAHA’IS leaders RISK EXECUTION

The seven members of Iran’s Baha’i religious minority are scheduled for trial on 11 July. If convicted, they could face the death penalty.

Iran:Human Rights Lawyer risks torture

Human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei was arrested on 25 June, probably in relation to his human rights activities and his peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression and association after the disputed re-election of President Ahmadinejad. Mohammad Mostafaei is a prisoner of conscience. He is at risk of torture.