Share data of abuse, deaths at immigration depots, minister tells HRW

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he will invite Human Rights Watch (HRW) and ask the international human rights organisation to share data on cases of children being tortured at immigration detention centres.

Stating his willingness to cooperate with HRW, Saifuddin said the allegations are very serious and his side will request evidence from HRW so that further investigations can be carried out immediately.

"I will personally invite HRW to meet me. I will request details regarding torture and deaths. Who? How many? Where did it happen? Since there were deaths, state who (the victims were)?" he said at a press conference at the Home Ministry in Putrajaya today.

Saifuddin said they will not delay in conducting investigations and will invite "credible" organisations to assist in the probe.

According to a report released by HRW two days ago, 1,467 children were detained at 20 immigration detention centres across Malaysia as of September 2023.

The report, among others, stated that child detainees often face the same abuses as adult detainees - including denial of medical care, insufficient food, and poor treatment.

The report also contained eyewitness accounts detailing an incident where a nine-year-old child was beaten for asking for more bread.

Baitul Mahabbah

In response, Saifuddin denied that child detainees face torture and said he has visited the centres and seen the facilities provided for them.

"I don't know if HRW is aware that at each depot, we have medical officers and health checks are done regularly.

"I've visited most of the immigration depots and seen for myself how the process is carried out, there are stationed officers, food rations," he added.

Saifuddin said children abandoned by parents during authorities' raids are placed at Baitul Mahabbah, a more suitable place compared to detention centres for those under 10 years old.

"This is something HRW seems to have overlooked, unable to see our good and very humanitarian intentions," he said.

According to reports, so far there are two Baitul Mahabbah facilities in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan and Papar, Sabah, while two more are expected to open next year in Miri, Sarawak and Tanah Merah, Kelantan.

Saifuddin said a parliamentary select committee and the Immigration Department summoned HRW yesterday regarding the report.

"Our principle is to uphold the human rights of every living person; this is our stance.

"I will wait for them to submit the report. If not, it will remain a 'hearsay' report.

"But I will give them the 'benefit of the doubt' to meet and I'm willing to listen. Once I've gathered all the evidence from them, I will initiate investigations," he added.

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