Suaram

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Suaram is an human rights organization in Malaysia created in 1987 after Operation Lalang, when 106 opposition, unions, activist leaders were detained without trial under the Internal Security Act (Malaysia). In 1989, the detainee support group, ISA detainees and other activist groups combined to formed Suaram to campaign for the abolition of the ISA. Suaram later evolved to fight for human rights issues as a whole, where their expertise lie in civil and political rights.

Suaram publishes an annual report on the status of civil and political rights in Malaysia since 1998.

Some of the key campaigns that are synonymous with Suaram are: Campaign against the Internal Security Act and detention without trial, Right to Justice, Police reforms, and Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association.

Suaram is considered the leading human rights organisation in Malaysia. Key activists associated with Suaram include Dr. Nasir Hashim, Dr. Kua Kia Soong (former Member of Parliament), Fan Yew Teng (former Member of Parliament), Sivarasa Rasiah, Julian Jayaseelan, Tian Chua, Charles Hector, S. Arutchelvan, Elizabeth Wong, Cynthia Gabriel, Premesh Chandran and Irene Xavier. It is currently headed by Executive Director, Yap Swee Seng.

Suaram stands for Suara Rakyat Malaysia, which means Voice of the Malaysian People in Malay.

It is part of what is locally called the 'Human Rights Troika', which includes its close aliies - the National Human Rights Society (Hakam) and Aliran (based in Penang).