Aliza Jaffar: Release the justice fighters

"Don't be afraid" - that was the phrase often mentioned by my husband to me and the children. Thus, that was his last words to us before the police took him on the 10th of April. We waved him goodbye and accompanied his arrest with a spirited chant of 'reformasi' until the white police car disappeared.

Today and for each day since he was detained, we could feel his strength and determination and bravery flowing in us - to continue the struggle for justice and against tyranny.

My husband has been involved in preparation for the handing over of 'People's Memorandum' to SUHAKAM on 14 April. The rest of us in the family assisted him whenever we could - not even a single second that it crossed our mind it was an illegal act.

So when the police surrounded our house that evening, I was still hoping that they were mistaken. So I braved the moments and I stared right onto each and every policeman's face who entered our house. I was convinced that there is nothing we should hide or be afraid if we are truthful.

One of them said that 'we (the police) are accountable and transparent' to me. Without hesitattion, I replied "That's only your talk. You don't practise it". He was quiet. Perhaps he agreed with me.

Up to this day, we and other family members of the detained activists have not been contacted by the police to clarify on our loved ones' whereabouts or conditions.

My husband has told us to continue the handing over ceremony regardless of what may come. On the night before the rally, I prayed to Allah that the handing over ceremony went smoothly and peacefully as planned. That would have been my husband and his committee's wishes.

'Black 14 Gathering' took place peacefully thus proving the kind of liar Inspector General of Police was.

In front of SUHAKAM's headquarters, delegation members were hopeful that SUHAKAM could do something to ameliorate the present human rights violations in the country. I stood up and thanked all the three commissioners on behalf of the family members of the detained activists. Tan Sri Anuar mentioned that SUHAKAM had already sent a letter to the authority to allow their representatives and family members to meet the detainees - but to no avail to this moment.

On last Sunday, my family and I gathered with other family members at Mohd. Ezam's residence. On that day, we knew that we would not be let down by the people, they would carry us through this tragedy.

Moral and financial support from all sorts of people which came pouring was very touching. The President of keADILan, Datin Seri Wan Azizah and keADILan's Women Wing have been giving a staunch support and took care the welfare of the victims's families.

Lawyers Zainur Zakaria, Zulkifli Noordin and Roslan Kassim (both ISA detaineed themselves) also gave arousing speeches amidst our tears - sadness, missing our loved ones, touched feelings.

However burdensome it appears to the public of what the families have to go through, it is no where near the sacrifice of the brave activists - Saari, Ezam, Raja Petra, Hishamuddin, Tian, Ghani, Gobala and Dr.Badrul. It is unthinkable of what they have to endure under detention.

It was a relief to hear that Raja Komando had vowed whatever injustices perpetrated to these detainees would not die quietly - people would rise to seek justice.

On that day we left Ezam's residence more determined to continue this struggle to free our loved ones.

Abolish ISA, Stop Tyranny, Free ISA Detainees - The fight must go on.

Aliza Jaffar 
Saari Sungib's wife