Prisoners who lack legal access and exposure most vulnerable to torture: AI
Common criminals and crime suspects who usually lack access to legal measures and publicity are the groups most vulnerable to torture and excesses of the state, said international human rights groups Amnesty International or AI.
"This is largely under-reported as criminal suspects are less able to complain and the 'they got what they deserve' attitude often prevails.
It is often the case that these victims of torture and ill-treatment are from the poorest or most marginalised sectors of society," read its statement.
"Torture feeds of discrimination. It is easier for the torturer to inflict pain on someone who is seen as less human - someone from a despised social, political or ethnic group."
AI also lamented that torturers are not brought to justice.
"Impunity undermines the criminal justice system and the rule of law. Combating it is important for society as a whole," stressed AI.
According to AI, the global trade in instruments of torture involves "a clandestine and circuitous flow of money and equipment across many borders".
"In recent years the boom area has been electro-shock equipment-devices that inflict maximum pain but which leave few physical marks."
AI added that in the 1990s, electro-shock equipment was being used in detention facilities in more than 60 countries.
"More than 120 companies in 22 countries were involved in manufacturing, selling, marketing, advertising or procuring such equipment," the statement said.
Play on torture
In conjunction with its ongoing campaign against torture, the London-based group has organised a production of two plays with local theater group Rep 21 at the Actors Studio Box in Kuala Lumpur.
Common criminals and crime suspects who usually lack access to legal measures and publicity are the groups most vulnerable to torture and excesses of the state, said international human rights groups Amnesty International or AI.
"This is largely under-reported as criminal suspects are less able to complain and the 'they got what they deserve' attitude often prevails.
It is often the case that these victims of torture and ill-treatment are from the poorest or most marginalised sectors of society," read its statement.
"Torture feeds of discrimination. It is easier for the torturer to inflict pain on someone who is seen as less human - someone from a despised social, political or ethnic group."
AI also lamented that torturers are not brought to justice.
"Impunity undermines the criminal justice system and the rule of law. Combating it is important for society as a whole," stressed AI.
According to AI, the global trade in instruments of torture involves "a clandestine and circuitous flow of money and equipment across many borders".
"In recent years the boom area has been electro-shock equipment-devices that inflict maximum pain but which leave few physical marks."
AI added that in the 1990s, electro-shock equipment was being used in detention facilities in more than 60 countries.
"More than 120 companies in 22 countries were involved in manufacturing, selling, marketing, advertising or procuring such equipment," the statement said.
Play on torture
In conjunction with its ongoing campaign against torture, the London-based group has organised a production of two plays with local theater group Rep 21 at the Actors Studio Box in Kuala Lumpur.
Written by Harold Pinter, the plays entitled Mountain language and One for the road depicted a prison environment and an interrogator terrorising a family respectively.
Both plays, directed by Christopher Ling and produced by Llewellyn Marsh, is running from now until Nov 25 at 8.30pm with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
There will also be discussions after the evening performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tickets are priced at RM27 (RM17 for students).
Suhakam, the Human Rights Commission, launched a similar campaign against torture in November last year.
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