Rallies to free Tian Chua

Issue 

BY SUE BOLTON & CHRIS SLEE

On April 10, protests were held around the world to call for the unconditional release of six Malaysian government critics, including Tian Chua, the organiser of the Labour Resource Centre in Malaysia. The critics have been detained for a year without charge or trial under the Internal Securities Act. The protests coincided with a hunger strike by the political prisoners.

For decades, activists in Malaysia have called for the repeal of the ISA which empowers the government to order the indefinite "preventive" detention, without judicial intervention, of any person it perceives as a threat to national security. Activists in Sydney and Melbourne supported the international day of action with protests outside Malaysian Airlines offices.

The Melbourne protest was supported by Australia Asia Worker Links, Amnesty International, Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific and the Refugee Action Collective. Addressing the protesters, Manrico Moro of Australia-Asia Workers Links said that Tian Chua was in jail because he "broke the rules — he dared to cross racial lines and organise workers of all races to fight for their rights".

A public meeting to continue the campaign, organised by Australia Asia Worker Links and Amnesty International, will be held on April 29, in the Victorian Trades Hall building in Melbourne.

From Green Left Weekly, April 24, 2002.
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