The ISA detainees are suffering from mistreatment at the Kamunting detention camp, families of the detainees told the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today.

A memorandum alleging the mistreatment was endorsed by the families of six detainees who were arrested on April 10 this year for allegedly being involved in a 'militant attempt' to overthrow the government through violent street demonstrations.

Bahirah Tajol Aris, wife of Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, said her husband and four other Muslim detainees were not allowed to fulfill their religious obligations.

"The Muslim detainees have been prevented from attending Friday prayers, although this is compulsory for all adult male Muslims," she said.

Party vice-president Chua Tian Chang (Tian Chua), Ezam, and party leaders Dr Badrul Amin Bahron, Lokman Noor Adam, Saari Sungib and social activist-cum- malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais have been in the Kamunting detention camp in Perak since early June.

The health of the detainees, Bahirah said, was also of particular concern as they have been denied medical attention.

"For example, Ezam's hand was shaking while he was writing. The lawyers also noticed, over several visits, that the detainees are losing weight rapidly. In addition, on our most recent visit two weeks ago, Ezam appeared weak and listless," Bahirah said.

The three-page memorandum, which was handed over to Suhakam deputy chairperson Harun Mahmud Hashim, also stated that items given to the detainees did not reach them.

Newspapers censored

According to Keadilan youth leader Lau Chee Cheong, newspapers that Chua had requested were "censored" by the camp authorities.

"Chua had requested for newspapers but he was given old editions. In addition, the newspapers usually have certain articles cut out. Chinese-language newspapers which he specifically requested for were not given," Lau said.

Hishamuddin's uncle, Jallaludin Abdul Manaf, said that his nephew had been deprived of his 'voice'.

"He is now in a terrible state. He is unable to write much with the limited paper given to the detainees. How is he to disseminate his voice to the people in such conditions?" Jallaludin said.

Saari's wife, Arliza Jaafar, also told of various mental tortures that the families faced during the visit.

"It is cruel that the children have to face a partition when visiting their father. They are not even given privacy. They are constantly surrounded by wardens of the detention centre and Special Branch officers," she said.

Meanwhile, Zumrah, wife of Badrul, questioned the manner in which the detainees are being treated. "If they have been accused of their crimes, why not just bring the issues to an open court?" she asked.

Detainees separated

According to the memorandum, the detainees were also separated from each other and placed in three different dorms. They were not allowed normal privileges like the other detainees such as purchasing food from the canteen.

The memorandum also called for, among others, the setting up of a special committee to investigate the detentions, an improvement to the camp and to declare the six as prisoners of conscience.

Later in the Suhakam lobby, commissioner Harun confirmed that Suhakam officials would be visiting the ISA detainees next Tuesday.

"I will be bringing up the memorandum before the other commissioners on July 2," Harun said.

Asked if the commission could conduct surprise visits to places of detention, he said that even though visits were allowed under the Suhakam Act, it still had to write in to the proper authorities.