Probe Sosma detainees' torture claims, UN tell M'sia
The United Nations Human Rights Office for South-East Asia (OHCHR) has called on Malaysian authorities to conduct investigations into allegations that individuals charged under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) were tortured.
Expressing concern over the alleged torture and degrading treatment of seven individuals charged with suspected terrorism under the controversial Act, the UN body called for an impartial and thorough investigation into the allegations.
“We also urge the Malaysian government to sign and ratify the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT),” it said in a Facebook post today.
It added, that n the wake of the terror attack in Jakarta last week and the bombing in Bangkok last summer, all governments are urged to ensure human rights are protected in their efforts to counter terrorism.
“As stated by High Commissioner Zeid (Ra’ad al-Hussein) earlier this week, the rise of violent extremism and extremist thinking has greatly affected the way in which governments approach human rights.
“Regrettably, repressive measures can actually produce more extremist thinking and unless the governments’ policies support a human rights agenda, extremist ideologies will be reinforced.”
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) on Monday released letters purportedly written by detainees held under Sosma, who had alleged that they were tortured during their detention.
The letters detailed the threats and torture the detainees allegedly faced in the early phases of a Sosma case, where police can detain suspects for up to 28 days for investigation before they are brought to court.
Among others, one detainee claimed that he was forced to kiss the foot of his investigating officer, forced to masturbate while they watched, forced to watch pornographic videos with the officers, and forced to make a pronouncement of divorce upon his wife (lafaz taklid cerai).
Enacted in 2012 Sosma was touted "to provide for special measures relating to security offences for the purpose of maintaining public order and security and for connected matters" following the global rise in terror incidents in recent history.
Though critics claim that the Act was only to replace the repealed Internal Security Act (Malaysia) 1960, accusing the government of simply wanting to retain the blanket powers it has under the ISA.
Powers which critics claim has been consistently abused by the government to curtail legitimate democratic dissent. The law being seen as a tool to target political opponents of the ruling party, instead of the criminals and terrorists it was supposed to be used on.
Sosma's inception has sparked fears of continued abuses and harassment as government critics can now once again be picked up and detained essentially without trial.
These latest allegations in addition to several questionable arrests under the Act previously, only adding more fuel to fears of alleged abuse of Sosma powers.
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