Suaram

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Suaram, which stands for Suara Rakyat Malaysia, meaning Voice of the Malaysian People in Malay, is a 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 is considered the leading human rights organisation in Malaysia. It is part of what is locally called the 'Human Rights Troika', which includes its close allies - the National Human Rights Society and Aliran (based in Penang).

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 currently headed by Executive Director, Yap Swee Seng. Key activists associated with Suaram include

[edit] External links

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