Hung upside down while semi-nude: Stop torture and release ISA detainees, govt told

The Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) has launched its campaign to press for the release of 45 people still detained under the notorious Internal Security Act.

Although prime minister Najib Razak announced the ISA's abolishment, the 45 detainees at the Kamunting camp in Perak will have to wait for their detention period to end.

Announcing the campaign at the parliament, GMI called on the detainees to be released and charged in court if indeed the police have case against them. It also want the Kamunting detention centre to be closed down.

The movement's chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (pic) pointed out that mental and physical torture was still being applied on detainees.

"They have been devastated by their continuous detention in Kamunting despite the good news from the prime minister's announcement of the end of ISA," said Syed Ibrahim.

Giving a shocking instance of torture, Syed Ibrahim said some detainees had been "hung upside down" while in semi-nude state.

"This is revolting," he told reporters at the parliament.

Detainees were also told not to seek legal service by claiming that lawyers would charge them up to RM10,000 in legal fees.

GMI had prior to this embarked on a nationwide tour to protest the government's continued use of the ISA through a series of roadshows and demonstrations featuring families of detainees and lawyers.

--Harakahdaily