Suhakam: 456 deaths in custody recorded last year

 

There were 456 deaths in custody reported in 2020, said the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph (above) said this included 363 deaths recorded by the Prisons Department, 50 by the Immigration Department, 34 by the police, and nine in the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada).

In a press conference yesterday, he said health factors remain the leading cause of custodial deaths, with Covid-19 contributing to this death toll in the last year as well.

“Therefore, the government should ensure that the standard of health in detention is equivalent to the standard of health for the general public.

“Budgetary allocations and human resources should be channelled to detention centre management for the purpose of improving the quality of health services in detention centres,” said Suhakam on the matter.

The commission also recommended the establishment of a Custodial Health Unit, with the role of managing health services in detention centres.

The number of custodial deaths for this year was not disclosed.

“One death in custody is one too many. It shouldn’t happen,” said fellow Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai, in response to the statistics.

“We, over the years, have always been of the view that it would be more advantageous to have a separate Coroner’s Act,” he added, comparing it to the current system of conducting inquests into deaths in custody.

Mah said the proposed act will help the police and courts to determine the parameters of their powers and duties, adding that magistrates and sessions judges may also act as coroners within an inquest.

Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai

Yesterday’s press conference saw Suhakam announcing its findings and recommendations on human rights issues, such as deaths in custody, the high death toll of Nepalese migrant workers in Malaysia, and Covid-19 vaccinations.

The presser was held virtually and in person at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur was and attended by Suhakam commissioners Jerald, Mah, and Madeline Berma.

Another issue brought up by Suhakam was the high death rate of Nepalese workers.

It was revealed that there were 1,158 Nepalese migrant worker deaths, from January 2018 to July 2021.

The main causes of death were suicide, workplace accidents, pneumonia, and the Covid-19 virus.

It was estimated there are currently 300,000 Nepalese workers in Malaysia.

Jerald did, however, note the limitations of their findings, due to little data on migrant workers.

“The Labour Department and Health and Safety Department should look further into this issue of Nepalese worker deaths.

“What is the cause of suicide - is it stress, tension, mental health (issues)? Are companies providing an HR policy that could help these migrant workers?” he asked.

He added that while Covid-19 could be a contributing factor to the high death rate, 1,158 deaths is still a high number, urging the government to take action. - Mkini