PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 28/011/2004

Distrib: PG/SC

To: Health professionals

From: Health and human rights team / Asia Program

Date: 25 August 2004

MEDICAL LETTER WRITING ACTION

Fear of further deterioration of health

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia

Key words prisoner of conscience / ill-health

Introduction

In 1998, Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Malaysia, was detained on politically motivated charges of abuse of power and sodomy. After two separate trials that failed to meet international standards of fairness he was sentenced to six years for abuse of power and nine years for sodomy. Malaysia’s highest court, the Federal Court, is currently considering Anwar Ibrahim’s final appeal against his sodomy convictions: a ruling is expected on 2 September 2004.

Amnesty International considers Anwar Ibrahim to be a prisoner of conscience, detained because of his dissenting political activities and the challenge he posed to government leaders.

Health concerns

Anwar Ibrahim suffered injuries to his neck in a horse riding accident in 1996. Following medical treatment he recovered and was left with a minor residual injury. However his health deteriorated whilst in detention and he has suffered increasing pain from his spinal injury, apparently aggravated by the serious assault on him by the then national police chief in 1998.

At times Anwar Ibrahim has moved only with difficulty and required injections of painkillers. He has had to wear neck and body braces and is periodically confined in a wheelchair. Due to limited mobility, Anwar Ibrahim has complained that his muscles have weakened and he has begun to lose sensation in his left foot. In July 2004 he reported problems with his bladder functions. Amid concerns of possible damage to his kidneys, initial medical examinations found that his bladder complaint was linked to deterioration in his spinal condition and that swelling of the kidney had occurred. Subsequently, after complaining of sharply increased pain, Anwar Ibrahim was transferred to a Kuala Lumpur hospital where he remains.

In 2001 independent medical experts from Malaysia and overseas recommended that Anwar Ibrahim undergo endoscopic microsurgery and advised that the best prognosis for recovery would be for the operation to be conducted at a specialised spinal surgery facility available outside Malaysia. In 2001 the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) asserted Anwar Ibrahim’s right as a patient to make an informed choice about the medical treatment he wishes to undergo, and noting that there were no relevant prohibitions under Malaysian law, called for him to be allowed to travel abroad to receive the recommended specialised medical treatment. The government continues to refuse to allow Anwar Ibrahim to travel abroad, stating that the necessary medical treatment is available in Malaysia.

Amnesty International believes Anwar Ibrahim, a prisoner of conscience, should be released immediately, allowing him to seek the medical treatment which he and his medical advisers consider necessary.

Pending his release, the organisation is concerned at the risk of further deterioration in Anwar Ibrahim’s back condition, and in light of the time that has elapsed since he was first advised to seek endoscopic microsurgery abroad it urges the authorities to permit a further medical examination and assessment of treatment options by doctors of the same standing and expertise as his original medical advisors.

Recommended Action

Please write letters in English or your own language, using professional letter-headed paper if you use this:

· introducing yourself as a health professional concerned with human rights

· expressing grave concern that the charges laid against Anwar Ibrahim were politically motivated and calling for his immediate and unconditional release as a prisoner of conscience imprisoned for the peaceful expression of his political opinions

· expressing concern at reports of Anwar Ibrahim’s impaired heath and urging the authorities to allow him to exercise without restriction his right to seek medical treatment of his choice

· urging that, pending his release, a re-evaluation of his current state of health be undertaken involving doctors with knowledge of his case and the level of expertise necessary.

Address

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Prime Minister’s Department

Federal Government Administration Centre

Bangunan Perdana Putra

62502 Putrajaya

Malaysia

Fax: +60 3 8888 3444

Copies

Please send copies of your letter to the Malaysian Embassy or to nearest diplomatic representative of Malaysia with a cover note urging them to communicate your concerns to the Malaysian government.

Could coordinators please send one letter to your own Ministry of Foreign Affairs drawing attention to your concerns about the Anwar Ibrahim case.

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