ASYLUM PROGRAM LUNCHTIME WORKSHOPS

Thursday, August 28

12:00 -1:30 p.m.

Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights

131 Steuart Street, Suite 400

MCLE credit 1 hour

HUMAN RIGHTS IN MALAYSIA: A Dialog with

Two Human Rights Attorneys

Malaysia's autocratic president Mahathir Mohamad defied the IMF and avoided the worst of the 1998 Asian financial meltdown that ended the Suharto dictatorship in neighboring Indonesia. Since 9/11 In a country that is both Hindu and Muslim, and where moderate and conservative Muslim forces are locked in a power struggle, Mahathir has helped the U.S. track suspected terrorists. But he has also used security laws to jail and silence his political opposition, and he is best known for having his finance minister, a political rival, convicted on sodomy charges. To what extent can human-rights advocates function in this climate? Two advocates, fluent in English, will discuss this issue and answer your questions:

Ramdas Tikamdas: President of the National Human Rights Society. Attorney in private practice; co-editor of 'Human Rights and the National Commission'

Indrani P. Thuraisingham: Chair, Commission of Consumer Issues, National Council of Women's Organizations; Executive Director, Southeast Asian Council for Food security and Fair Trade

Free to all. Bring your lunch and share the discussions!