At 1.00pm today about 20 members of the family of Sara Lily, members of Police Watch and Human Rights Committee, Parti Keadilan Nasional (PKR) and friends attended a memorial service outside the Brickfields police station.
The resident priest of the Om Sri Siva Balakrishnan Muniswarar Hindu temple Mr.Sivalingam chanted hindu prayers and lighted the “marcha deepam” light for the resting in peace of the soul of Francis Udayappan was brutally killed while in police custody and his body dumped into the Klang River and the others The late Francis Udayappan’s mother knelt on her knees before her son’s garlanded photo and wreath and was in tears as she remembered the life and times of her beloved son. Flower petals were then strewn by his photo and the congregation then observed a two (2) minute silence.
Our Legal Adviser Mr.P.Uthayakumar then addressed the congregation and once again called upon the Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) with independent investigation and prosecution powers and with unlimited funding. Mr.P.Uthayakumar then launched April 16th as the anti death in police custody and death by police shooting day which would be marked by peaceful prayers on a yearly basis outside the Brickfeilds police station and / or any other police station to remember Francis Udayappan and other victims of death in police custody and death by police shooting.
Sara Lily expressed her pain and suffering for two years and continuing at what had happened to her son and prayed that this should not happen to any other mother.
A platoon of 15 riot policemen took the position right ahead of the congregation as the event went on and about 20 other police video crew, photographers and others were present and who watched the proceedings solemnly, some with guilt written all over their faces.
Others who addressed the congregation were Mr.B.Chandran, Coordinator of Police Watch and Human Rights Committee, PKR Youth vice Chief S.Manickavasagam, and others who all spoke about the injustices to Francis Udayappan and the other victims and their families.
This case is the worst case of death in police custody and the worst case of human rights violations in Malaysia as the authorities unlawfully detained Francis’ body for almost two (2) years and Sara Lily and her family had to endure the pain, suffering sorrow and anguish at having to wait thus long to cremate her son’s beheaded badly mutilated and highly decomposed body. We condemn the full scale police cover up in this case and the Attorney General for not ordering the release of the body within two (2) weeks and for (at least) not prosecuting the policeman for criminal negligence for allowing Francis to escape if not for the murder of Francis Udayappan by the Brickfilds police.
At the height of the campaign of Francis case her lawyer Mr.P.Uthayakumar’s car was attacked and windscreens smashed up two (2) times in two weeks by civil clothes policemen. On the second occasion Mr.P.Uthayakumar was attacked at gun point by civil clothes policemen and sustained injuries from the assault. He then sought asylum in the United Kingdom and returned home only when the (Law) Minister Dato’ Nazri Aziz gave him the assurance of his safety in Malaysia.
May the souls of these victims of police atrocities rest in peace. May this pain, suffering and anguish not befall on any other mother, wife or family.
God Bless.
Thank You,
Yours Faithfully.
B.Chandran,
Co-coordinator
(Note: See photos of today’s events in www.policewatchmalaysia.com)
POLICE WATCH AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
SUITE 8-9-7 (A) MENARA MUTIARA BANGSAR
JALAN LIKU OFF JALAN RIONG
BANGSAR 59100 KUALA LUMPUR
TEL : 03-2285241 / FAX : 03-22825616
MEDIA STATEMENT
16-4-07
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