A US-based committee of human rights lawyers has accused the home ministry of violating international human rights standards in an incident last week when two Internal Security Act detainees were allegedly assaulted by enforcement authorities.

In a letter dated May 13 to Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the New York-based Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights expressed concern over allegations that Tian Chua ( photo ) and Hishamuddin Rais were assaulted during a raid by security personnel at the Kamunting Detention Camp in Perak.