About This Report
In the Name of Security
May 25, 2004

In the Name of Security:

Counterterrorism and Human Rights Abuses Under Malaysia's Internal Security Act

I. Summary
Who They Are
The Impact of the Guantanamo Bay Detentions
Recommendations
II. Background: The ISA in Law and Practice
The ISA: An Abusive Law
Operation Lalang
The Anwar Case and the Reformasi 10
Religion and Alleged Militant Activity in Malaysia
Alleged Organizational Affiliations of the ISA Detainees
The KMM detainees
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) detainees
The Johor detainees
III. Human Rights Abuses against ISA Detainees
Arbitrary Arrest and Detention
Torture and Other Mistreatment
Torture and other physical abuse
Cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment
Humiliating and degrading treatment
Coerced and false confessions
Conditions of Detention
IV. Violations of Due Processand the Role of the Judiciary under the ISA
Denial of Access to Counsel
Coercion against Families
Lack of Judicial Review
Threats to Deter Legal Action
V. U.S.-Malaysia Counterterrorism Cooperation
A Case Study: The Karachi Detentions and U.S.-Malaysia Cooperation
VI. Conclusion: The ISAA Blunt, Ineffective Tool
VII. Recommendations
To the Malaysian Government
To the U.S. Government
To the United Nations
To the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of the Judiciary
To the Special Rapporteur on Torture
To the Counterterrorism Committee of the United Nations