Deputy home minister Datuk Nur Jazlan says his ministry will investigate any detainee abuse complaints made to it through formal channels. – The Malaysian Insider pic, January 24, 2016.The Home Ministry will probe into any case of detainee abuse if complaints are made through formal channels, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said following the disclosure by human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) of alleged mistreatment of detainees.
“I have to check, but the accused has a right to inform someone of his detention and can make a formal complaint if the interrogation does not follow the standard operating procedures.
"The SOP used by the interrogators must be reasonable and take into account the human rights of the person. The ministry will investigate any complaints made to it through formal channels,” he said in a WhatsApp message to The Malaysian Insider.
Nur Jazlan was responding to a recent report by MalaysiaKini on letters penned by seven detainees held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), who alleged mistreatment during their detention.
The letters were disclosed by Suaram at a press conference last week.
According to the report, many of the detainees said they were beaten and threatened, with one claiming he was forced to strip, crawl like a dog, kiss an investigating officer’s foot and do other degrading acts.
Some of the detainees also claimed that police threatened to harm their family members, forcing them to follow statements provided by police.
Suaram’s executive director Sevan Doraisamy (pic, right) said the group filed a second complaint to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) last Friday and would be meeting with lawyers and detainees' families to discuss the next course of action.
The first complaint was made last month.
“We are having a meeting with some of the detainees' families and we are also planning to file complaints with EAIC (Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission) and Bukit Aman,” he said, adding that he was informed that Suhakam had visited some of the detainees.
“They (Suhakam) have already collected some information and names but it is yet to be revealed, pending a final conclusion.”
Some of the detainees' families had lodged police reports on the allegations. – January 24, 2016.
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