United Kingdom: Clare Rewcastle-Brown at Risk of Arrest for Defamation
Location: United Kingdom
Date: October 5, 2021
Clare Rewcastle-Brown, editor of Sarawak Report, fears arrest by Interpol on behalf of the Malaysian government. The journalist, known for exposing high-level corruption, shared her concerns with the UK media. On September 23, the Malaysian government issued a warrant for Clare’s arrest, pertaining to her 2018 book about the 1MDB scandal. Clare intends to travel to Spain to tend to visit her elderly father but is at risk of arrest under the Interpol’s Red Notice system.
In 2015, Clare exposed high-level corruption known as the 1MDB scandal, which involved then Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak. Subsequently, Clare faced charges of threatening parliamentary democracy. Based on these allegations, the Malaysian authorities made a Red Notice request back in 2015. At the time, the Interpol had refused the request.
Clare believes the arrest warrant issued by Malaysian authorities on September 23 can be used against her in Spain as the country has become a favourite spot for authoritarian regimes to target dissenting voices. The recent arrest warrant has been issued reportedly over criminal defamation charges regarding statements about Sultan of Terengganu’s wife in Clare’s 2018 book on the 1MDB scandal. The senior investigative reporter is worried as Interpol has not guaranteed her freedom in response.
"They are seeking to paint me as a criminal for exposing their corrupt practices, which is my job as a journalist, and they are using a claim of criminal libel, which is simply not a crime in the UK or most democratic countries where the freedom of journalists to report on politically powerful is rightfully protected,"
The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is concerned about Clare's safety and demands Interpol to clarify its position. We urge the Malaysian authorities to not target critical press for their work.
"They are seeking to paint me as a criminal for exposing their corrupt practices, which is my job as a journalist, and they are using a claim of criminal libel, which is simply not a crime in the UK or most democratic countries where the freedom of journalists to report on politically powerful is rightfully protected," said Clare. She added that the same actors who tried to apprehend her through Interpol in 2015 may attempt to repeat the same pattern against her.
Fair Trials International, Index on Censorship and Article 19, among other organisations, have reached out to Interpol making a public request to clarify its position on the matter. "Any data requesting Ms Rewcastle-Brown's location, arrest and/or extradition for the charges she is facing in Malaysia would be a clear and very obvious violation of Interpol's rules," read the letter.
In June this year, Clare was subjected to legal harassment when she received letters from a London based law firm on behalf of Hammad Al Wazzan, a Kuwaiti investment advisor, who was accused of brokering a deal between a Kuwaiti and Malaysian businessman.
The CFWIJ commends Clare for her incredible commitment to journalism. We are concerned for her safety and well-being. We request Interpol to clear its position and not become a tool for governments to repress journalists. We also urge the Malaysian authorities to drop all politically backed charges against Clare Rewcastle-Brown.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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