Trial of Irene Fernandez Resumes on September 10, 2008.

Press Release:

September 8, 2008.

Trial of Irene Fernandez Resumes on September 10, 2008.

Dr Irene Fernandez returns to the High Court on 10 September 2008 to find out if the court has completed the appeal records and if all other relevant documents are in place for the appeal to proceed without an hitch.

After 5 years of waiting for her appeal against a conviction of 12 months imprisonment in 2003, for her expose through a Memorandum on “Abuse, Torture and Dehumanized Conditions of Migrant workers in Detention Centres” it is still uncertain when the hearings will actually resume for the appeal.

The presiding judge, Yang Arif Hakim Dato’ Haji Mohamad Apandi Bin Haji Ali at the last court hearing on August 5, 2003, noted that the appeal process has been “unusual” with the amount of delays. He gave an assurance to the court that he will ensure and endeavour to complete the Appeal hearings and decision will be made by mid December 2008.

The appeal hearing will begin from October 28- 30, 2008, followed by next hearing dates from 24-28 November 2008 where submissions will be made by the defence lawyers and the prosecution. We commend the legal team of Mr. Puravalen, YB Sivarasa (MP for Subang Jaya) and Ms. Moganambal who have been with us since the trial began to ensure justice is done.

We would like to call on each one of you to continue to express your support to the struggle to seek justice as human rights defender for Irene. Your presence in court will be of importance and we invite you to be with us in Court on September 10, 2008.

This trial has shown that a Whistleblower’ s Act should and must be enacted in Parliament, to protect those who speak out on issues pertaining to governance, integrity and accountability. Our work in the area of migration, migrant workers, domestic workers and refugees will indeed benefit greatly from such an Act.

We will – at 9am, September 10 – pack High Court Level 5, Room 2, to let it be known, that indeed it is the whole judicial process that is somehow itself on trial for delaying Dr Irene’s path to closure and justice.

Justice must be seen to be done and justice delayed is justice denied.

Thank you.



Florida Sandanasamy

Director



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