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Malaysia

Malaysian trial observation
On 21-24 October 2008, Ashwin Trikamjee, a prominent human rights lawyer from South Africa, and George Hwang, a media defence lawyer from Singapore and one of the country representatives from Singapore to the Southeast Asian Media Lawyers group, attended the habeas corpus hearing of Raja Petra Kumaradin in Malaysia.  They were appointed as IBAHRI trial observers to assess whether the hearing satisfied international fair trial standards.  In addition to attending the hearing, Mr Trikamjee and Mr Hwang also sought meetings with a range of interested parties, including the government, both defence and prosecuting counsel, and non-government representatives.  The findings of the report will be known in November 2008.

Justice in Jeopardy: Malaysia in 2000

The IBA, in conjunction with the Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers of the International Commission of Jurists (CIJL); the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA); and the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA), sent a mission to Malaysia in 1997 following reports that the independence of the judiciary was under threat and lawyers were facing difficulties carrying out their work freely. The mission examined the legal guarantees for the independence of the judiciary and whether these guarantees were respected in practice; the ability of lawyers to render their services freely; and any impediments to the proper administration of justice.

The findings of the mission can be found in the report.

Click here to read the report