An independent journalist body based in Malaysia has condemned an alleged cross-border arrest of Australian scholar and writer Murray Hunter.
Hunter, 66, was allegedly detained by Thai authorities on Sept. 29 over a defamation charge he claims came from the Malaysian government following blog articles he had penned in 2024.
Malaysian group Centre for Independent Journalism issued a statement expressing “deep concern” in regard to Hunter’s detainment and subsequent Nov. 17 court date.
“Specific details of the allegation remain unclear at the present moment.
“Murray Hunter was detained for 48 hours and has been released on bail.”
The group expressed concern around the “dangerous precedent” and “culture of censorship.”
“Currently, we have limited access to information on the specific actions allegedly undertaken by [Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission or MCMC] or the Government of Malaysia, beyond those reported by the media,” they said.
“If indeed the Malaysian regulator was involved in Murray Hunter’s arrest, seeking a cross-border arrest for political criticism goes against the very spirit of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, which protects freedom of expression, including criticism against the government.
“Although the government may reference legal grounds under current restrictive laws, using Thai public authorities to silence dissenting speech would be an overreach of its powers and jurisdiction and weaken constitutional guarantees.”
The group also queried the cost to taxpayers of such an action.
Concern Around Transnational Repression
Just this year, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights office issued its first guidance paper (pdf) on what has been classed “transnational repression.”The U.N. categorised the practice as “a new phenomenon” which has recently expanded alongside the advancement of digital technology.
It denotes acts conducted or directed by a state or its proxy to silence dissent outside of its territory.
Few states are ever held accountable for the practice, according to the U.N. paper.
Transnational repression can manifest in numerous forms, including violence and intimidation, refusal of passports or consular services, digital threats, punishment of relatives and associates, harassment through arrest and abuses of security laws.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told the 56th session of the Human Rights council that there were indications the trend of transnational repression against individuals and communities was becoming a global issue.
“So I urged all states to have zero tolerance for such actions,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told The Epoch Times it was providing consular assistance to an Australian arrested in Thailand.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” they said.
The Epoch Times contacted the Malaysian Consular General in Canberra, as well as the Malaysian Consulate in Melbourne, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia for comment.
