HHR Press Release

Brutal oppression of peaceful Hindu protestors by Malaysian government

Hindu Human Rights is concerned at the incredible violence used by the Malaysian authorities, including the use of dangerous chemical-laced water cannons, against Hindus in that country peacefully protesting in the nation's capital of Kuala Lumpur. Hindu protestors were demonstrating outside the British High Commission as it was Britain that imported indentured Indian labour (legalised slave labour) to work on the rubber plantations over a century ago and then left them there with no means to protect themselves as is now being witnessed.

Despite being born in Malaysia and settled there for many generations, Hindus are still regarded as immigrants and outsiders and not recognised as Malaysian with the same rights as the indigenous Malays, who are known as 'bumiputra' or sons of the soil. They suffer widespread poverty and have been relegated to the lowermost rungs of the social and economic sphere as the political system openly discriminates against them in regards to jobs, scholarships, study places and economic benefit.

In addition to this there is open religious discrimination against Hindus as well. Hindu temples in Malaysia are systematically demolished under any pretexts by Malaysian authorities. There have even been numerous cases where authorities have intervened to stop Hindus from even receiving their traditional funeral rites.

So for even daring to voice their concerns, the three leading members of the group behind the protest, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), were arrested, charged with making seditious comments, and face up to three years in jail if convicted.

Thanks to the pressure from the international community and protests from fair-minded people, the three arrested activist have temporarily been released. However the situation remains precarious and the appalled state of human rights of Hindus in that country continues.

HHR calls upon the Malaysian government respect the rights of Hindus in that country and work towards dismantling the racial and religious apartheid that makes Malaysian Hindus the most neglected community in that country. HHR also calls upon the worldwide community to recognize the discrimination and oppression faced by Malaysian Hindus, which has been ignored, despite the fact that it has become progressively worse since the independence of the former British colony of Malaya in 1957.