*EPF505 01/23/2004
Text: U.S. "Disappointed" by Malaysia's Decision on Anwar Ibrahim
(State Department January 22 statement) (230)

The State Department issued a statement January 22 expressing the United States' deep disappointment that the Malaysian court of appeal has declined to reconsider its upholding of the sodomy conviction and sentence of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In the statement, Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli called for the Malaysian Government "to ensure that justice is served, and that respect for human rights are upheld, in Anwar's case."

Following is the text of the statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
January 22, 2004

STATEMENT BY J. ADAM ERELI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Malaysia: Continued Incarceration of Former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

We are deeply disappointed that the Malaysian court of appeal has declined to reconsider its upholding of the sodomy conviction and sentence of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The court has also denied a request for bail.

We have consistently expressed the view that the sodomy trial of Anwar Ibrahim, and his resulting conviction and nine-year jail sentence, were marred by flaws in the judicial process. His pleas for bail and medical parole have been ignored or denied; he is physically suffering from his prolonged detention.

We urge the Malaysian Government to ensure that justice is served, and that respect for human rights are upheld, in Anwar's case.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents