The Malaysian government should drop its politically motivated prosecution of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for alleged consensual homosexual relations, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.
On February 12, the Kuala Lumpur Court of Appeal begun the government’s appeal of the High Court’s January 9, 2012 decision to acquit opposition leader Anwar of violating article 377 of the Malaysian penal code.
“Malaysia’s authorities are opening themselves up to international ridicule for prolonging their political case against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch. “Anwar’s trial would be farcical were the penalties not so severe and the trial’s message to Malaysia’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender [LGBT] community not so grave.”
Human Rights Watch believes Malaysia should repeal article 377 of its penal code, which is an anachronistic colonial era law that criminalizes “carnal intercourse against the order of nature." The law effectively criminalizes same-sex sexuality, and does not distinguish between consensual and non-consensual sex, in defiance of international human rights standards. In its place, Human Rights Watch has long recommended the passage of a modern, gender-neutral rape law.
Anwar was first arrested in July 2008, a month after the alleged incident took place. After a long series of delays, he was found not guilty in January 2012 after the judge found that crucial DNA evidence submitted by the prosecution may have been compromised.
Should the appeals court overturn the acquittal, Anwar would face up to 20 years in prison and whipping. He would also have to relinquish his seat in parliament and be barred from standing for election for five years if he receives any prison sentence or is fined more than RM 2000 (US$600).
So-called “sodomy laws” such as Malaysia’s article 377 contravene broadly accepted international legal standards. The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee, the international expert body that monitors civil.
“Malaysia’s government should cease criminalizing consensual sexual relations and discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,” Robertson said. “Prime Minister Najib and his government should recognize both in law and practice that LGBT rights are human rights.”
On February 12, the Kuala Lumpur Court of Appeal begun the government’s appeal of the High Court’s January 9, 2012 decision to acquit opposition leader Anwar of violating article 377 of the Malaysian penal code.
“Malaysia’s authorities are opening themselves up to international ridicule for prolonging their political case against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch. “Anwar’s trial would be farcical were the penalties not so severe and the trial’s message to Malaysia’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender [LGBT] community not so grave.”
Human Rights Watch believes Malaysia should repeal article 377 of its penal code, which is an anachronistic colonial era law that criminalizes “carnal intercourse against the order of nature." The law effectively criminalizes same-sex sexuality, and does not distinguish between consensual and non-consensual sex, in defiance of international human rights standards. In its place, Human Rights Watch has long recommended the passage of a modern, gender-neutral rape law.
Anwar was first arrested in July 2008, a month after the alleged incident took place. After a long series of delays, he was found not guilty in January 2012 after the judge found that crucial DNA evidence submitted by the prosecution may have been compromised.
Should the appeals court overturn the acquittal, Anwar would face up to 20 years in prison and whipping. He would also have to relinquish his seat in parliament and be barred from standing for election for five years if he receives any prison sentence or is fined more than RM 2000 (US$600).
So-called “sodomy laws” such as Malaysia’s article 377 contravene broadly accepted international legal standards. The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee, the international expert body that monitors civil.
“Malaysia’s government should cease criminalizing consensual sexual relations and discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,” Robertson said. “Prime Minister Najib and his government should recognize both in law and practice that LGBT rights are human rights.”
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Reader's Comments
2. Hollybooks theirselves can be regarded against nature.
3. If worm that are Hermaphrodite, should we said that the worm sinful or against nature or must be wiped out?
4. If small ants that do not breed, should be said that they are against nature?
5. I know about Religion business projects
6. Should people become Victim for the sake of Religion Business projects?
7. Remember that God is for Human, not for Religion, nor for prophets, nor for Hollybook.
8. War to gain occupancy/state in Government would dig any of Politic opponent resulting people become victim as Gay/LGBT becoming victim of Politic.
9. Malaysia is not against promoting gay rights but Religion that ban LGBT-gay rights..just read Hollybook.
Mean that some Malaysian Politicians get riding by Prophet Descendants. Then these Malaysian politician would get reward.
It is not correct attitude and sinful.
Because every Country Leader should save and giving love to their resident, not to prophet descendant.
10. We also have right to wipe out prophet descendants and their law in our country but we have no right to wipe out prophet descendants in their countries.
as every Nation Leaders should save and giving love to their resident first.
11. Hungry of state in Government make some politician forget their duty.
12. If They Really want to go to Heaven, Then we should send them to Heaven quickly
13. If They miss/want to meet prophets in Heaven, then we should help them by sending them to Heaven quickly. out of our country. out of globe.
14. Imagine if everybody breeding, then no more spaces for us to walk. no more land to grow plants to eat.
15. There must be Breeding tax and fine as high as possible
16. Breeding result conflicts in our life. that is Sinful
17. Read Hollybook order that we must full fill all the globe.
18. conclusion : Hollybook is order to war and to make conflicts
Hollybook is extraordinary Sin
Those who seek Heaven should be sent to Heaven and do not deserve to live in our planet
What they don't really aware is that Malaysia's LGBT community is booming rapidly, both in the non-Muslim and also Muslim population. The government is clearly ignoring the issue and pretending that nothing much has happened. They are indirectly adopting the concept of "don't say, don't tell... don't show, don't be caught!"
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