Media Release: November 25, 2008
The Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) today proudly congratulates its Vice-Chairperson for External Affairs, Irene Fernandez for finally being acquitted of the charges against her. The scheduled court appeals hearing which resumed on November 24 and scheduled until November 28 was surprisingly cut short when Judge Mohamad Apandi Ali announced his decision which disregarded Irene’s 2003 conviction.
When the defense lawyer, Mr. Puravalen asked that the motion for appeal to remain, the prosecution did not oppose the appeal. The Public Prosecutor, Shamsul Sulaiman, even said “Having been served the type-written notes, and having thoughtfully studied the notes, I have decided in the interest of justice, that justice itself would not be served by opposing this appeal.”
The Defense then asked that Irene’s earlier conviction and sentence should be dismissed. From there, the judge gave his momentous decision: “In the light of the respondent and Public Prosecutor is not opposing the appeal, I set aside and reverse the conviction and sentencing.”
APC Secretary-General, Danilo Ramos in a statement today expressed his sentiments, “The final decision regarding Irene’s case clearly shows that in the end, truth and justice do prevail. Irene was maliciously charged for exposing the real conditions of migrant workers in Malaysia . And even if her case lasted for thirteen long years, she still did not lose hope and still continues to fight for human rights.”
Ramos further adds, “All activists and human rights defenders like Irene and myself, who face various charges filed by fascist governments should not lose hope. We must always remember that we are fighting for the people and for a better society.”
No comments:
Post a Comment