Irene Xavier
Encyclopedia
Irene Xavier is a Malaysian women's rights activist. She is a prominent member of the Women's Aid Organisation
(WAO
) - a women's rights NGO. She is also a key activist of Suaram
, Malaysia's leading human rights organisation.
Irene was one of the 106 people detained under the Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
in 1987 during Operation Lalang
. As the Internal Security Act is often used to silence dissent, Irene was targeted because of her work as a woman's rights activist. In the first 60 days of incomunicado detention, she claimed that she was beaten, humiliated and mentally abused.
Women's Aid Organisation
Women's Aid Organisation or WAO is a Malaysian non-governmental organization that fights for women's rights and specifically against violence against women...
(WAO
Wao
Wao may refer to:*Wao, Lanao del Sur*The Wao language, a.k.a. Huaorani language*Wet Air Oxidation *Wacken Open Air, also known as W:O:A...
) - a women's rights NGO. She is also a key activist of Suaram
Suaram
SUARAM, or Suara Rakyat Malaysia, is a human rights organization in Malaysia created in 1987 after Operation Lalang, when 106 opposition, unions, activist leaders were detained without trial under the Internal Security Act...
, Malaysia's leading human rights organisation.
Irene was one of the 106 people detained under the Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
The Internal Security Act 1960 is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. The legislation was enacted after Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The ISA allows for detention without trial or criminal charges under limited, legally defined circumstances...
in 1987 during Operation Lalang
Operation Lalang
Operation Lalang was carried out on October 27, 1987 by the Malaysian police to crack down on opposition leaders and social activists...
. As the Internal Security Act is often used to silence dissent, Irene was targeted because of her work as a woman's rights activist. In the first 60 days of incomunicado detention, she claimed that she was beaten, humiliated and mentally abused.