Rights group troubled by two custodial deaths in four days
Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)has expressed concern following two deaths in police custody in just four days.
The first incident involved a 63-year-old man at the Taiping district police headquarters lock-up on Jan 13 while another involved a 37-year-old man at the Pengkalan Chepa police station lock-up on Jan 16...
Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)has expressed concern following two deaths in police custody in just four days.
The first incident involved a 63-year-old man at the Taiping district police headquarters lock-up on Jan 13 while another involved a 37-year-old man at the Pengkalan Chepa police station lock-up on Jan 16.
Suaram executive director D Sevan (above) noted that while police have arrested two of their personnel in the Taiping case, information on the case was still lacking.
"The reason for their arrests and their involvement in the death has not been stated.
"In both cases, we have yet to be informed of the causes of death, which would have been known in the post-mortem report which is a compulsory procedure for custodial deaths," Sevan said.
In a bid to address persistent cases of custodial deaths, the police last month formed the Criminal Investigation Unit on Deaths in Custody (USJKT)
However, Sevan said the police investigating themselves does not inspire confidence.
'The best method is an inquest'
He stressed that the best method is still through an inquest by the courts or by an entity that is independent of the police.
As such, he said, even though the USJKT is investigating both the recent custodial deaths, an inquest should still be held.
Meanwhile, the NGO Eliminating Deaths And Abuse In Custody Together (Edict) also echoed the need for the coroner's court to conduct an inquest.
It said the frequency of custodial deaths was worrying and stressed the need to bring down such cases this year.
Edict also reminded the government of the need for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and urged the government to proceed with legislation for the commission, based on the recommendations made in 2005 by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police.
Report this comment
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.