'How did detainee jump out while under watch?'

Human rights NGO Suaram and Puchong MP Gobind Deo has condemned the latest death in police custody case - the 10th in nine months, warning that such incidents will recur if there are no urgent reforms to the police force.

 

Suaram's executive director Yap Swee Seng called for an immediate inquest to be carried out by the coroner's court over the incident on Sunday.

 

"It is necessary to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation in this latest case to establish the circumstances of the deceased's death, specifically how he was able to allegedly jump to his death, while handcuffed, in the presence of police officers," Yap (left) said in a statement.

 

He said the court must evaluate the police officers’ conduct to ensure if any torture or degrading treatment was used during investigations.

 

"It must also look at what medical and psychiatric measures were in place to prevent, minimize, and treat mental illness, self-harm, and medical emergencies at the station,” he said.

 

He was referring to the death of a 56-year-old who had reportedly jumped from the first floor of the North Seberang Perai district police headquarters building in Kepala Batas, Penang, killing himself.

 

Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said that police will conduct an investigation into the case.

 

"But the police lack the independence and institutional record for this investigation to be meaningful and credible," Yap said.

 

A death every month

 

He said the fact that Suaram recorded at least 12 deaths in police custody last year indicates an average one death per month, prompting urgent reforms.

 

Yap said this should take the form of drafting and passing long demanded anti-torture legislation, the establishment of a permanent coroner’s court to review cases of custodial death, as was promised by the Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in June 2013.

 

He said that the government must set up the overdue Independent Police Complaint and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) which was proposed by the Royal Commission nearly a decade ago.

 

"Further, every individual’s right to life and safety is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

 

"Regardless of the circumstances of the deceased’s death, the police are under a strict obligation to ensure the detainee’s well-being and safety, including from self-harm," Yap said.

Meanwhile, Gobind (right) said that the home minister himself should look into it personally. 

 

“The police should take full responsibility for the death of a detainee who fell from the first floor of the North Seberang Perai IPD building two days ago.

 

"This incident happened whilst the detainee was in their custody. The law makes it clear that all steps must be taken to ensure that persons taken in for investigations are safe.

 

"It is disappointing to note that even after the Royal Commission of Enquiry into custodial deaths in Teoh Beng Hock case, deaths like this continue to occur.

 

"One of the options available is for the setting up of an inquest to look into the matter,” said Gobind, also a lawyer.

 

He said Zahid must promise of no such recurrences and that the weaknesses in the police system are rectified.