GEORGE TOWN: The Hindu Rights Action Force's (Hindraf) inaugural national convention in August will revisit the alleged marginalisation of the Malaysian Indian community. It will bring into the spotlight Barisan Nasional’s perceived discrimination of the community and Pakatan Rakyat’s failure in delivering on its promise to the Indians.Similar to its historic rally on Nov 25, 2007, the August convention is expected to attract, not only the nation but also global attention on the perceived violation of the community’s basic human rights in the country.
Scheduled for Aug 8, the convention will be a watershed achievement for Hindraf, given that it has been outlawed since October 2008 by the Umno-dominated Putrajaya administration.This fact aside, some 200 observers, including several international human rights watchdogs, have been invited to the convention.
Whether the authorities will allow the event to take place remains to be seen. But permitted or not, Hindraf activists will move ahead with their agenda.“The convention will spare no one (BN or Pakatan),” London-based Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy told FMT.
Waythamoorthy, whose valid Malaysian passport was allegedly revoked by the Home Ministry, will address the convention via teleconferencing.He said Hindraf’s socio-political position had grown from strength to strength since the November rally some 30 months ago.He said there was now heightened consciousness and drive to assist the poor among Malaysians.
Delegates to debate
Commenting on Hindraf’s public standing, he said it had consolidated itself, despite various problems, obstacles and attempts at sabotage by internal and external forces.He said Hindraf’s cause and modus operandi had captured the imagination of various international watchdogs.He claimed the watchdogs had taken a keen interest in the prevailing abuses of human rights in Malaysia after 53 years of independence and a purportedly multi-racial social structure.Meanwhile, the main objective of the convention will be to address and highlight numerous issues relating to the continued suppression of human rights in Malaysia, especially in the Indian community.About 100 Hindraf delegates will debate on various issues besieging the Indian community in Malaysia.Resolutions will also be passed on the future direction of Hindraf and its plans to mobilise public support to champion human rights issues in Malaysia.“Hindraf’s cause and struggle will start with the poor, deprived, discriminated and marginalised society,” said Waythamoorthy, a lawyer by profession.The Hindraf supremo left the country in the aftermath of the November 2007 mammoth rally.
A subsequent police crackdown on the organisation left four Hindraf lawyers and another person, whose role in the organisation is still obscure till today, in detention in Kamunting under the draconian Internal Security Act in December 2007.They were released last year when Najib Tun Razak took office as the country’s sixth prime minister on April 3, 2009.The most famous Hindraf face and Waythamoorthy’s elder brother, lawyer Uthayakumar, has since formed a political group – the Human Rights Party (HRP) – to spearhead the movement’s struggle on the political front.
New line-up of leaders
During the live video conferencing, Waythamoorthy will field questions and exchange views and opinions with delegates and observers to refocus Hindraf’s direction for the betterment of human rights in Malaysia.
The movement’s new line-up of national and international coordinators is likely to be announced at the convention.The new team will spearhead the Hindraf struggle and bring it to another level in Malaysia and abroad.“Hindraf will act without fear, favour or prejudice. It is a platform for the voiceless,” said Waythamoorthy
Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment