KUALA LUMPUR: Suaram’s Human Rights Report 2016 revealed fewer incidents of torture and other forms of ill treatment of detainees under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) this year.

The report noted this as an improvement compared with last year where Suaram first exposed the use of torture against Sosma detainees.

The human rights group attributed this decrease not only to its own efforts but also the police’s own monitoring of its officers’ conduct.

“The report by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) revealed there is an Inspector-General’s Special Order as well as an order by the Selangor Police Chief which forbids the use of violence against detainees,” the Suaram report stated.

However, according to Suaram coordinator Dobby Chew, there was still a lack of political will in terms of creating clear laws against torture.

“So kudos to the police but there is still a lack of legislature to ensure that those caught inflicting torture will be punished,” he said at his summary speech of the report’s findings at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here today.

Meanwhile, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said the EAIC was still not enough of a measure to monitor police and ensure officers do not break the law in carrying out their duties.

“At least 70% of the EAIC’s reports relate to police officers committing crimes against their detainees. So, we hope that next year we’ll finally be able to see the Independent Police Complaints and Misconducts Commission (IPCMC) realised,” he said.

He also noted that there was a long list of agencies that fell under the purview of the EAIC, but the forestry department was not one of them.

“After what the forestry department is doing to the Orang Asli in Kelantan perhaps we also need the commission to monitor them.”

Resource : Free Malaysia Today