MALAYSIA: A human rights lawyer and public interest advocate faces threats of legal action for blogging about a company allegedly violating rights of migrant workers

Dear friends, 

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez, a human rights defender and lawyer, is facing threats of legal action by Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn. Bhd. Company, a company employing migrant workers. The Company claimed that Mr. Fernandez posts on the plight of Burmese migrant workers were libelous. The legal action on Mr. Fernandez not only threatens free speech, but suppresses human rights defenders from exposing the plight of migrant workers. In Malaysia, violations of human and labour rights of migrant workers by employers and the authorities mostly go unreported. 

CASE NARRATIVE: 

Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez is a lawyer and a former member of the Malaysian Bar Council. He is also an active human rights defender and a Blogger, running the Blog: charleshector.blogspot.com. In his Blog, he has been raising the issue of human rights violations against a group of Burmese migrant workers in relation to the Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn. Bhd. Company, a subsidiary of the Asahi Kosei Japan Company Limited, a Japanese company operating in Malaysia which manufactures components for video equipment, hard disk drive and automotive parts. 

The issue involves about the complaints of 31 Burmese migrant workers regarding the non-compliance of agreement by their employer. The workers alleged that the employer was paying them far less than what was promised. In the process of seeking compensation and fair treatments, the workers alleged that they were threatened by gangsters and two of them escaped from being sent back to Burma. They have lodged formal complaints with the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) and the Labour Department. 

Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez, who is assisting the victims to obtain remedies, posted the situation of this group of Burmese migrant workers in his Blog. In his blog, he also asked others to intervene on behalf of the victims. A media statement signed by 77 organizations was issued on 11 February 2011 (full text of the statement), calling for the Company to respect the human rights of the Burmese migrants workers. However, the Company complained that the content of his posts on February 8 and 9, 2011 is libelous and damaging: 

Hopefully ASAHI KOSEI (M) SDN. BHD wont terminate/deport workers who claim rights 
http://charleshector.blogspot.com/2011/02/hopefully-asahi-kosei-m-sdn-bhd-wont.html 

URGENT:- Stop ASAHI KOSEI (M) SDN. BHD from sending Thiha Soe (PP No: A 458011) back to Burma 
http://charleshector.blogspot.com/2011/02/urgent-stop-asahi-kosei-m-sdn-bhd-from.html 

On 14 February 2011, Mr Charles Hector Fernandez received a letter from the lawyer of the Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn. Bhd. Company (full text of the letter). The letter claims that the postings about the plight of the Burmese migrant workers from Mr. Charles Hector’s Blog amount to a libel on the company. The company demands from Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez within 7 days the sum of RM 10,000,000.00 (USD 3,279,307) an apology and an immediate withdrawal of the posts. 

In the said complaint and demand letter, written by the company’s legal representative, T.S. Teoh & Partners, the Company denied all the allegations. They claimed the workers, whom Mr. Fernandez had referred to, were supplied by an outsourcing agent and are not under the direct payroll of the company. This argument of passing the responsibility on the employment agencies is commonly used by Corporations having operations in underdeveloped countries, like in the Philippines and Thailand, to excuse themselves from legal responsibilities. 

The information posted on the Blog was obtained from the affected workers. They are representing the complaints made by the migrant workers who are always in the vulnerable position to voice out their grievances and demands. Human rights defenders such as Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez are playing an important role to channel the complaints of the disadvantaged to the public and to express concern. It is a matter of public interest to ensure the grievances of any persons whose human rights being violated to be heard. Without it, there is no access to justice. 

The company had been given the opportunity to respond. Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez sent two emails on 8 and 9 February 2011 to the Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn. Bhd. Company about the matter. However, the company did not respond to these emails. Instead, the Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn. Bhd. Company sent a letter to Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez demanding RM 10,000,000 for damages. 

The threats of commencing legal action for libel by the Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn. Bhd. Company against Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez poses a threat to human rights defenders who are actively raising these issues to defend the rights of migrant workers. 

SUGGESTED ACTION: 
Please write to the companies and the authorities listed below to express your concern in this case and call for the withdrawal of commencing legal action for libel and demand for damages against Mr. Charles Hector Fernandez. 

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER