UN expert slams govt silence on death threats against activist

 

Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani has lived in fear since April 2020 when a social media post claimed he had demanded citizenship for Rohingya refugees. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: A United Nations human rights official has questioned the government’s seriousness in handling the harassment and death threats faced by a Rohingya activist in Malaysia.

Mary Lawlor, the UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders, said the government had not responded to a letter issued by a group of rapporteurs on Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani’s plight last December.

She said the lack of response made her question if the government took the matter seriously.

Zafar heads a human rights organisation for Rohingya in Malaysia. He has lived in fear since April 2020 after a social media post claimed he had demanded Malaysian citizenship for Rohingya refugees.

He has faced threats against him, his family and the community, and the tyres of his wife’s car were slashed. Zafar himself has barely left his home. He has applied to be resettled in another country but has not been successful.

Lawlor said the government had not replied to requests for updates on the police report lodged by Zafar, and details on measures taken to protect Zafar and his family.

“Threats are very often a precursor to murders and without investigation or condemnation, authorities give licence to perpetrators to keep up the violations. I continue to have serious concerns for Zafar’s wellbeing,” said Lawlor.

FMT has asked Wisma Putra for comment. - FMT