Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Abolish the Undemocratic, Unconstitutional and Unjust Mandatory Death Penalty and sentences in Malaysia? Barbados judgment relevant..


In a democracy, there are 3 branches of government - the Executive(PM and Cabinet), the Legislature(Parliament) and the Judiciary - each branch have their own functions besides serving as a 'check and balance' vis-a-vis the other 2 branches of government.
 
When Parliament(the Legislature) passes laws that provide for a MANDATORY sentence, it really encroaches into the functions and powers of the Judiciary. Parliament can set minimum sentences...or even maximum sentences - which still allows the Judiciary to determine an appropriate and just sentence depending on the facts and circumstances of a case. But when Parliament creates a MANDATORY sentence - judges will have no more choice when it comes to sentencing. 
 
Before sentencing, the convicted person has a right to bring to the attention of the court MITIGATION FACTORS - factors that should lead to the imposition of a lower just sentence, whilst Prosecution usually raise 'AGGRAVATION' FACTORS - reasons why a harsher sentence should be imposed in a particular case. BUT, if the law provides just a MANDATORY sentence - there is no more use for this Mitigation stage - it matters not for Judges have no choice but to impose just the ONE sentence provided by the law. Guilty verdict, justly may not result in the same sentence in all cases...
 
In Malaysia, the constitution provides for JUSTICE and equal protection under the law - and as such, again the unavailability of the power to impose a just sentence - to negate the right to consider mitigation and/or aggravation factors before sentencing in cases that provide for ONE mandatory sentence is also unconstitutional...Well, the Barbados courts have just decided on this point...and Malaysia need to be guided by this wisdom..and abolish all MANDATORY sentences in law - especially the MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY...
 
“The CCJ held that section 11 of the Constitution, which gives the right to protection of the law, was enforceable. The CCJ found that the mandatory death penalty breached that right as it deprived a court of the opportunity to exercise the quintessential judicial function of tailoring the punishment to fit the crime.”
Malaysia, even the past UMNO-BN government had already indicated intention to abolish the mandatory death penalty. Many of the parties, and politicians, now part of the new Pakatan Harapan-led government had long taken the position for the abolition of the death penalty - and most definitely, the MANDATORY death penalty... 
 
Hence, Malaysia need to immediately abolish the MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY ...and also the Death Penalty in Malaysia. 
 

Barbados death penalty unlawful

By George Alleyne
Barbados Chief Justice, Sir Marston Gibson.
The Caribbean Court of Justice has ruled out the mandatory death sentences on persons convicted of murder in Barbados because such a practice is unconstitutional.

The Trinidad and Tobago based CCJ made this ruling while delivering decisions Wednesday in the consolidated cases of two convicted persons, Jabari Sensimania Nervais and Dwayne Omar Severin.
In their appeals, they challenged the murder convictions and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence for murder in Barbados.

The CCJ, the institution of final jurisdiction for Barbados stated, “a section of the [Barbados] Offences Against the Person Act was unconstitutional because it provided for a mandatory sentence of death.”

The CCJ indicated that both men however had their appeals against their convictions dismissed and it “ordered that the appellants be expeditiously brought before the [Barbados] Supreme Court for resentenci­ng.”

The CCJ stated that before examining the issues raised by the appeal, it “considered the state of the mandatory death penalty in Barbados for murder and found that it was indisputable that the nation, through its actions, had acknowledged that it had an obligation to remove such mandatory sentence under section two of the Offences against the Person Act.

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“Barbados had also given undertakings to the CCJ and the Inter American Court of Human Rights to rectify the mandatory sentence which was reflected in the Barbados Privy Council’s consistent commutation of the mandatory death penalty.

“The CCJ held that section 11 of the Constitution, which gives the right to protection of the law, was enforceable. 

The CCJ found that the mandatory death penalty breached that right as it deprived a court of the opportunity to exercise the quintessential judicial function of tailoring the punishment to fit the crime.”

According to CCJ information, on Feb. 21, 2012 the First Appellant, Jabari Sensimania Nervais (“Nervais”), was convicted of the murder of Jason Burton and sentenced to death in accordance with section two of the Offences Against the Persons Act (“OAPA”), Cap 141. 

The Court of Appeal, comprising Mason, Burgess and Goodridge JJA, dismissed his appeal against conviction and sentence on May 17, 2017.

On May 28, 2014, the Second Appellant, Dwayne Omar Severin (“Severin”) was convicted of the murder of Virgil Barton and sentenced to death in accordance with section two of the OAPA. 

The Court of Appeal, comprised of Sir Marston Gibson, Chief Justice, Mason and Goodridge JJA, dismissed his appeal against conviction and sentence on May 17, 2017.

The Caribbean Court of Justice stated that these are the last judgments that Sir Dennis Byron will deliver as CCJ president as he will leave office on July 4, 2018. - Caribbean Life, 29/6/2018

UEC - a Malaysian achievement internationally - but still not recognized by Malaysian public Universities?

UEC(Unified Examination Certificate) is really an 'entry qualification' examination certificate, which is a pre-requisite for continued education to get a University degree. 

It is similar to our SPM(or STPM), UK originated A and/or O level education certificate. 

It is a Malaysian achievement today, as it has the recognition as a pre-university or university entrance requirement for over  1,000 colleges and universities, both public and private, in countries such as the UK, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore and China. It is an even greater achievement as it was not created or promoted by the then UMNO-BN government - so an effort and success by some individual Malaysians - not easy to get a non-government education certificate recognized...is it?

To further one's studies, especially overseas, the recognition of the UEC opens the doorway for so many Malaysians - but sadly, it seems, that the UEC is still not recognised as a entry requirement for Malaysian universities(especially public universities).

As such, it was funny that some local university students are objecting to the UEC's recognition. Should they not really be supportive of Malaysian students access to higher and/or tertiary education? Why really did they object? Was it a premature reaction without proper study? Or was it simply an ethnic response, a fear of increased 'competition' for the limited spaces available in Malaysia's public higher learning institutions?

Bahasa Melayu - Well, the lack of knowledge of English or other languages, is most discriminatory to Malaysian students when it comes to pursuing higher education even in local universities. Even now, most of the books and resource material referred to and used in Malaysia are yet to be translated into Bahasa Melayu, after 60 over years of independence...a lack of political will by the past UMNO-BN government? The reality is that Malaysian students in KL, the bigger west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and maybe even Western Peninsular Malaysia has a better grasp of the English language - hence better opportunities to fare better in their search for university and tertiary education not just in Malaysia, but also overseas.Most prejudiced are Malaysian students from rural areas...and the East Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia - Kelantan, Trengganu, Pahang, Johor, Kedah, ...

Knowledge of Arabic opens doors to further education in the Middle East. Knowledge of Mandarin and/or some other Chinese language opens possibilities of furthering education in China and Taiwan...Knowledge in Malay, may increase opportunities of furthering education in Indonesia and maybe Brunei...Tamil, however, is not so helpful because there are only maybe less than a handful of Universities in Tamil Nadu states that provide for tertiary education in Tamil(In India, English and maybe Urdu/Hindi may accord more opportunities in pursuing a University degree...)

Who decides on whether to accept the UEC or SPM or A-level, as a sufficient entry requirement to pursue a degree(or a Masters degree) in a University - well, it certainly is not a simplistic government political decision - but really a decision of the university authority or academic body governing recognition based on standards. 

In Malaysia, many universities have opened up to foreign students - now, they do not have SPM(or STPM) and maybe even have no Malay...Hence, in UITM, when the Alumni objected to opening the doors to other Malaysians(not being Malay), it was very strange since that institution had already opened its doors to foreign students...?

For the Malaysian Bar, to become a lawyer, a person having a foreign recognised University Degree have to still sit and pass the Certificate of Lagal Practice(CLP), which has a very low pass rate - it was about 20% of less. Local university graduates did not have to pass the CLP - but today, there is growing concern about these local university degrees - prompting the introduction of a Common Examination for ALL before one can become a lawyer. This is seen as needed to maintain professional standards of Malaysian lawyers - and this is important, as no one wants a 'sub-standard' lawyer representing and acting for them in life and death situations, and even other rights including commercial rights, do they.

There is a perception that the Malaysian standard of education in public schools and public universities have been declining...and this has seen more and more Malaysians, who can afford it even Malays, electing to send their children to private schools...colleges and even universities. Even in rural Malaysia, the trend seem to be that more and more Malay Malaysians and Indian Malaysians, are electing to send their children to National Type(Chinese) schools. The National schools are fully funded by government, but the National Type Chinese and Tamil schools are still only partially funded by the government - Whilst the Chinese schools are able to get more donations, the Tamil schools do not...

In the National schools(the Sekolah Kebangsaan or previously 'Jenis Kebangsaaan'), often the better students are transferred to specialized schools - with the 'better' teachers which also impact on the quality of education. Most of the students transferred to 'special' schools are Malays or the indigenous Sabahans and Sarawakians..by reason of the special preference policy... 

These 'special schools' maybe good but it also negatively impacts children that remain in the ordinary schools - including the Malay, Sabah/Sarawak indigenous students and the other Malaysian students - 'You are telling children that they are 'lesser' beings not worthy of ...For children, this is discriminatory and also makes them believe that they are 'not smart' enough to be given equal emphasis by the government in terms of teachers, technical support, facilities, etc...

Now, children of the poor are generally the victims of such an education policy ...the poor may not be able to afford good pre-school, private tuition, etc ...and that will impact on their development in terms of education and skills. The new government must look into this ...

Malaysian public university entrance had also a 'socio-economic' consideration - it factors in also the school you were in...so entrance is not based on simply meritocracy. I studied my form 6 in Sekoleh Menengah Sultan Abu Bakar in Kuantan, and for the subject of Chemistry, we had to learn Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry but in our school, the teacher only managed to complete 2 out of the 3 types of chemistry, so, when we sat for the exams, we could only answer two-thirds of the questions, unlike those from the better schools. Competition also plays a role in student performance - so, the removal of 'better' students to 'special' schools impacts the advancement of remaining students...

When in University Malaya, there were about 400 in the first year...but after the first year exams, about half were ousted when they failed...Then the UMNO-BN government intervened, and 'reduced' qualification requirement - so that many more will pass...hence academic standards were compromised to increase pass rates...Yes, we increased university graduates, but may have compromised on quality and standards...and such a policy may have 'discriminated' against our public university degree holders...especially when it comes to seeking employment NOT in the public sector..

Specialized 'sports schools' also need to be re-evaluated - good for 'sports development' - but, is it really good for academic development. Sports, after all, is a skill that can be used for a couple of years ...but does it help for the future of these young people?

After 60 years, the preferential treatment of Malays and indigenous of Sabah and Sarawak, seem to have not worked as there still so many Malays and indigenous Sabahans and Sarawakians that are still poor or very poor. If the focus had been the upliftment of the poor - for simply making an increased number of rich and super-rich Malays or indigenous Sabahans and Sarawakians - will not help others in these targeted ethnic groups, will it. 

MALAYSIANS are victims of the 'Divide and Rule' policies of the British colonial government, which was followed by the UMNO-led coalition government, which was basically a coalition of ethnic based political parties like UMNO(Malay), MCA(Chinese) and MIC(Indians) - later to be joined by many other ethnic or state based political parties. We still talk in terms of ethnicities...or religion - not in terms of Malaysia and Malaysians. 

Even Pakatan Harapan now is talking for a special fund/initiative to help Indian Malaysians - what about Pakistani Malaysians, Arabic Malaysians, Sri Lankan Malaysians, Eurasian Malaysians, Chitty Malaysians, Orang Asli Malaysians - is the Pakatan Harapan also going to adopt 'ethnic' or 'religious' focused policies and solutions...It is better for Malaysia to adopt an OPTION FOR THE POOR - focusing attention to uplift the life and livelihood of the poor - be it workers, farmers, fisherfolk, etc...

With Pakatan Harapan policy/plan to help Indian Malaysians, it is sad that the MPs and persons being tasked with being persons belonging to same ethnic groups - Why should it not be MPs/Ministers of other ethnic groups being made responsible - that should be the Malaysian way...should it not? 

UEC - now, it is turning out to be an 'ethnic' issue - when it really should be an issue of Malaysia? Evaluate the UEC - does it have the academic standards required for local university admission? or maybe for admission for pre-university examination/qualifications in Malaysia?

Why has it become an 'ethnic' issue? Is it the 'ethnic-based' political parties or 'religious-based' political parties OR their politicians that is making it an issue? MCA is also seen to be championing the issue - is it an effort to lobby Chinese Malaysians back to MCA - more so, since it has lost much support ...? Is it an attempt for UMNO to get back Malay support?

Should we BAN ethnic-based or religious-based political parties in Malaysia? NO - that is the right of all persons in Malaysia - they are FREE to form political parties that are ethnic based, religious based, gender-based, class based, worker based, farmer based, etc...

Malaysians came together as ONE, irrespective of ethnicity, gender or religion to VOTE out the UMNO-BN government, to demand for FREE and FAIR elections, for freedom of speech/opinion/peaceful assembly, for removal of POCA, POTA, SOSMA,..., for cleaner government, for a government that will hopefully increase personal/family income and reduce cost of living  - thus provide a higher quality of life, greater democracy...

Is this rise of 'ethnic' or 'religious' issues really an effort by some political parties to rise from the ashes after GE14? Worse still, is it elements in Pakatan Harapan that are rasing these issues?

Pakatan Harapan stood as Pakatan Harapan (not as an 'electoral pact' of 4 political parties) under one common symbol, the PKR symbol as PH was not yet registered and did not have a common symbol, and the people voted for PH not for Amanah, Bersatu, DAP or PKR) - so, it was sad for me when the 4 parties seem to be claiming seats which their member stood and won as seats that PKR won or DAP won or Bersatu won...It was sad that there was even assertion about 'party quotas' when it came to Cabinet appointments...

Note, that Pakatan Harapan also has one ethnic based party in BERSATU and a religious based party in Amanah, whilst PKR and DAP are multi-religious and multi-ethnic political parties. 

What is happening to Pakatan Harapan - What is happening to their registration, and their elections...and their membership? Will all members in the various PH parties have one vote and will be able to democratically elect the President and the office bearers? Or will it just be like BN - where each party will have just one vote? Or was PH simply just an 'electoral pact' to improve chances of winning in GE?

Malaysians need to remember that we are human beings, and we need to actively  evaluate our position about being Malaysians. Racism - do we object? How do we treat other Malaysians, of different class backgrounds, different academic backgrounds, from different States, of different ethnicity, of different religious backgrounds, of different..political ideologies? What are our values? What are our principles? Do we treat people equally...? Today, after we have voted for change in the last GE...is the time for us to decide for ourselves...not influenced by personalities bend on building up eroding support for their political parties and ideologies.

Each Malaysian has to decide...


: The Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) has obtained an ISO 9001:2008 quality management certification from Malaysia, China, the United Kingdom and Japan, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA deputy president said UEC was accepted as entry qualifications by a majority of private colleges and universities in Malaysia.
“It is also accredited by more than 1,000 colleges and universities, both public and private, in countries such as the UK, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore and China, which recognise UEC in study applications.
“While only Bahasa Malaysia is taught in the national language in the UEC curriculum, not all subjects are taught in Mandarin as claimed by Ismail Sabri,” he said on Saturday.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/07/16/uec-is-iso-certified-by-four-countries-wee-its-also-accredited-by-1000-colleges-varsities/#TphYWP80GZqqiKGS.99
ODD - when students protest rights of other students access to higher/tertiary education in Malaysian public universities

Students protest against plans to recognise UEC

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 100 student protesters gathered in the city to protest against the government’s plans to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

A video, shared by organiser Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (Gamis) on Facebook, shows the protesters clad mostly in black with red headbands chanting “Hidup rakyat” (Long live the people) and “Bantah UEC” (Oppose UEC) during the protest.

“We are here today, not because we are racists, but because we want to uphold our national education system,” an unidentified speaker at the rally said.

According to Utusan Malaysia, most of the participants were students from Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

The demonstration began at Masjid Negara, but police had barred the protesters from marching to Sogo.

The protest ended two hours later. - Star, 22/7/2018

Teerasak Longji, Executed On 18/6/2018 In Thailand May Be A Miscarriage Of Justice Arising out of Police Failings(74 Groups Statement)

Media Statement – 24/7/2018

Teerasak Longji, Executed On 18/6/2018 In Thailand May Be A Miscarriage Of Justice Arising out of Police Failings
-        Abolish the Death Penalty -

We, the 74 undersigned groups and organisations, are appalled by the recent ‘secret’ execution of Teerasak Longji by Thailand, the first execution since 24 August 2009 (Bangkok Post, 18/6/2016). Given recent facts that have been reported in the media, miscarriage of justice is a very real possibility.

Thailand had observed a de facto moratorium since 2009, and in about a year or so it would have been over 10 years, and Thailand would thereafter have been considered an abolitionist state in practice. 

26-year-old Teerasak Longji was executed at Bangkok’s Bang Kwang Central Prison by lethal injection for aggravated murder. He was accused and convicted of stabbing Danudet Sookmak ,a 17-year-old high school student, 24 times before stealing his smartphone and wallet in July 2012. Teerasak had always maintained his innocence, and never confessed.

There are now serious concerns that Teerasak Longji may have been wrongly executed, just like the case of Chiang Kuo-ching, who was executed in Taiwan in 1997 after being convicted of sexually abusing and murdering a five-year-old girl. In 2011, Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice admitted that Chiang had been executed in error.

“No criminal justice system is perfect. You take a man’s life and years later, you find out that another person did the crime. What can you do?” - Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz, the then Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department.

Miscarriage of Justice

There are now questions about the investigation and prosecution in this case.

There is also the  possibility of cover-up and ‘corruption’ given the fact that the police admitted that another suspect is still at large, which makes this execution of Teerasak, a possible ‘material witness’ on 18/6/2018 before all other perpetrators of the crime are arrested and brought to justice questionable. Other suspects, when arrested could also prove that Teerasak was not even guilty. Further, another witness have also emerged, who allegedly can confirm that Teerasak was innocent.

POLICE INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTION QUESTIONABLE?

In a media report (Khaosod English,22/6/2018), it was stated, ‘The victim’s parents said they urged police years ago to look for another perpetrator, but they claim investigators were dismissive, telling them to gather witnesses and evidence themselves.’ Recently, the police did confirm that there was indeed another alleged perpetrator.

The police had on Wednesday(20/6/2018) stated that they are looking for another suspect...“We’re keeping up the investigation to bring in another perpetrator,” Prasert [Lt. Col Prasert Songsaeng, who’s in charge of the case ]said on Friday(22/6/2018). (Khaosod English, 22/6/2018). Lt. Col Prasert was also reported stating that Teerasak had never confessed.

The attitude and conduct of the Thai police in this case certainly is questionable. It is the duty of the police to conduct a thorough investigation, leaving no stone unturned in its quest for the truth to ensure that the correct perpetrator of the crime is brought to justice.

As such, the conduct of  Lt. Col Prasert Songsaeng and the officers in charge of the investigation and prosecution is disappointing. For the police to even suggest to Teerasak’s parents to ‘gather evidence’ themselves when it is the police duty to investigate was most unprofessional.

It was also stated in the media report that, ‘…According to Prasert, police were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Teerasak, who had several drug- and weapons-related crimes on his record, within a day of the murder based on strong witness statements. They captured him the next day. He added that Teerasak has never confessed….’

This raises a doubt about whether the police and the prosecution conducted a proper investigation in this case. Did the police and prosecutors have a "tunnel vision" mentality that kept them from pursuing the real perpetrators of the crime? Were they closed to the possibility of other suspects, and simply focused on their belief that Teerasak was the guilty person – not even bothering to find the other alleged perpetrator, or the possibility that some other, not even Teerasak, committed the crime? Such ‘tunnel vision’ on the part of police and prosecutors has been proven to have caused serious miscarriage of justice – even the death of innocent persons.

The fact that a person had a past criminal record really does not mean that he committed a new crime. Past convictions may have a bearing on sentencing, but it should never ever influence the police in their investigation into a particular new crime. Jumping to conclusions, and shutting out other possibilities, is most dangerous, and it may lead to an innocent person being punished, or even deprived of life.

Justice Was Not Done In Teerasak’s Execution

Doubts have arisen as to the guilt of Teerasak’s with the emergence of an alleged witness, which was reported in the media, ‘…The witness’s claim emerged yesterday online. In it he said that he and another friend saw two other teenagers repeatedly stab another teen while he was riding a motorbike past the scene. He stopped to see what was happening and had to flee the perpetrators. He said Teerasak, whom he was familiar with, was not present at the time. Then he saw Teerasak riding toward the scene on a motorbike from the opposite direction and warned him not to continue…’ (Khaosod English, 22/6/2018)

Even if Teerasak was guilty, reasonably he would be a material witness, when he comes to the prosecuting of others who were also involved in the killing. The execution of a possible material witness, before any or all others are arrested, charged and tried would certainly not result in justice for the victim if the real perpetrators get off scot free for the lack of Teerasak’s evidence. Doubts arise whether Teerasak was suddenly executed for some ulterior motive of protecting other perpetrators.

Family Not Notified of Teerasak’s Execution

It was reported that the younger sister of Teerasak, Kanita Longji, 20, said ‘…that the family was not told he would be put to death until after it was carried out…”I don’t understand and there was no advanced notification that he would be executed…In reality, family members should be notified if an execution is to be carried out…so that relatives can bid farewell.” Kanita said that the family was planning to visit him on Tuesday because her brother had recently sent a letter asking for 2,000 Baht…’(Khaosod English, 19/6/2018)

This is most draconian when family and loved one’s of persons about to be executed are not even given the opportunity the spend some time together before execution. Such ‘secret’ executions, also denies the possibility of any last attempts to prevent the death of persons on death row.

In this case, when fact of the death was revealed in the media, it has prompted a witness to emerge who could have proven Teerasak’s innocence. Now, if information of the upcoming execution had appeared in media earlier, Teerasak may not have been executed by reason of this new witness. The failure of the police to find this witness, while they were investigating the crime is also indicative of incompetence or a lackadaisical attitude in the conduct of criminal investigation.

Therefore, we

Call on the Thailand to immediately review the case of Teerasak Longji, who was executed on 18/6/2018 to determine whether there was a miscarriage of justice, and if so, to immediately apologize to the Teerasak Longji’s family;

Call of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand and the government of Thailand to forthwith conduct an inquiry on the police investigation conducted by Lt. Col Prasert Songsaeng and the police team on the killing of Danudet Sookmak in July 2012, that led to prosecution and ultimate execution of Teerasak Longji.

Call on Thailand to take action on police and enforcement personnel involved in investigations of crime, who failed to conduct their investigation professionally, competently and in a corruption-free manner, that can result in miscarriage of justice;

Call on Thailand to immediately impose a moratorium on executions, and to abolish the death penalty in Thailand

Charles Hector
Selma James  
Nina Lopez  

For and on behalf of the 74 organisations/groups listed below

ALIRAN, Malaysia
Australians Against Capital Punishment (AACP)
Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters- HRDP, Myanmmar
ATRAHDOM Guatemala
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), India  
Brandywine Peace Community
Catholic Mobilizing Network, US
CAW (Committee for Asian Women)
Center for Orang Asli Concerns(COAC), Malaysia
Center for Prisoners' Rights, Japan
Christian Development Alternative (CDA), Bangladesh
CRCF -Cross Cultural Foundation, Thailand
Democratic Commission for Human Development, Pakistan
ECPM (Together against the Death Penalty [Ensemble contre la peine de mort]), France
End Solitary Santa Cruz County, CA, USA
Farmworker Association of Florida, Inc.
FIDU - Federazione Italiana Diritti Umani(Italian Federation for Human Rights)
German Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (GCADP)
Global Women’s Strike, UK
Global Women’s Strike, USA
GoodElectronics Thailand
Haiti Action Committee
Hands off Cain
Health and Opportunity Network (HON), Thailand
Hearty Support Group ,Thailand
Human Rights Coalition
Human Rights Coalition, Philadelphia, USA
HRC Fed Up Pittsburgh, USA
Human Rights and Democracy Media Center "SHAMS", Palestine
IDEAL(  Institute for Development of Alternative Living), Malaysia
Imparsial The Indonesian Human Right Monitor
International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
Legal Action for Women, United Kingdom
Legal Awareness Watch(LAW), Pakistan
Let’s Get Free/Pittsburgh
MADPET(Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)
Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility.(MPSR)
Manushya Foundation, Thailand
MAP Foundation (Thailand)
Margaret Prescod, Pacifica Radio host
Marvi Rural Development Organization- MRDO, Pakistan
Migrant Care, Indonesia
MLK Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, USA
Mumia Abu-Jamal
National Union of Transport Equipment & Allied Industries Workers (NUTEAIW)
North South Initiative
Odhikar, Bangladesh
Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM)
Payday – USA
Payday Men’s Network
People's Empowerment Foundation (PEF), Thailand
Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor, KL & Perak (Malaysia)
Programme Against Custodial Torture and Impunity (PACTI), India 
Raging Grannies
Rescue Alternatives Liberia (RAL)
Sikhoraphum Youth Group  ,Thailand
Singapore Anti Death Penalty Campaign (SADPC)
Step Ahead  Foundation, Thailand
TEA Togetherness for Equality and Action, Thailand
Tenaganita, Malaysia
Teoh Beng Hock trust for Democracy
The Duay Jai (Hearty Support) Group, Thailand
The Julian Wagner Memorial Fund (JWMF), Australia
The MOVE Organization (Family Africa)
The Sunny Center Foundation, New York
Think Centre, Singapore
Topanga Peace Alliance, USA
UCL - Union for Civil liberty, Thailand
Witness to Innocence
Women in Media,
Women of Color, UK
Women of Color, USA
Workers Assistance Center, Inc., Philippines
Workers Hub For Change(WH4C)