Workers' rights group Tenaganita expressed its concern that detainees suspected of being involved in riots at the Machap Umboo immigration camp in Malacca two days ago will be tortured and abused by the authorities.

Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez claimed that a detainee who tried to escape from another camp in Johor in May this year was beaten profusely for 15 days.

"The detainee was beaten with sticks every five hours until he bled and collapsed," she said in a press statement today.

Irene also related another incident in March this year where a detainee was kicked, punched and beaten up for almost a month for being caught with a mobile phone.

"With a plastic pipe, the police beat him at his groin and later handcuffed him on to a stool where he had kneel on for seven days," she said.

It was reported yesterday that eight detainees escaped while 13 others were injured when a fight broke out in the Machap Umboo camp on Wednesday.

Inhumane conditions

It is believed that the fight broke out when some of the inmates were angered by the admission of another 85 illegal immigrants into their block on Tuesday night. A fire also broke out and destroyed one block of the camp.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Jamil Johari claimed that although the camp is crowded, there is room "for more" as it can accommodate about 2,500 detainees. The Machap Umboo detention camp currently holds 2,134 detainees.

Tenaganita believed the authorities should be held responsible for the incident.

"This is not the first time that riots have taken place. In spite of previous similar incidents and complaints, the authorities have actually closed a blind eye to the inhumane conditions in the camps," Irene said.

She claimed that while all belongings, cash and valuable items are taken away from the detainees upon arrival at the camps, some were able to get cigarettes and food from outside with the cooperation of the camp police.

Preferential treatment

"One detainee could even get treatment from a private clinic as he could get the money to pay. Medications meant to be given to detainees were sold to them," Irene said.

She added that detainees who complained of fever were often told to take a cold shower. They were only sent to the hospital after they pass out.

"It is evident that the police or those in charge of the camp have allowed or given preferential treatment (to some inmates)," Irene said.

She also explained that the problem of overcrowding needed attention as some detainees had to sleep over each other or take turns to sleep.

Irene stressed that the authorities cannot dismiss the issue by giving the excuse that repatriation takes time.

International standards

"Such reaction tends to reflect poor strategy and weak management in dealing with undocumented migrant workers," she said and suggested the arrests of illegal immigrants must stop if the government could not find enough space to house them.

She recommended that a dialogue to be held with the migrants' countries of origin to find the best way to repatriate the detainees in accordance with established international standards.

Tenaganita which first spearheaded foreign workers issues had consistently highlighted the abuse and maltreatment of illegal migrant workers in the detention camps.

In March 1996, the government arrested and charged Irene under Section 8A of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 for allegedly "publishing false news".

During her trial, which is currently the longest running trial in Malaysia, several former detainees had testified that they had endured various forms of torture, including sexual abuse while in detention.