Rights group demands answers over teens’ detention under Sosma

 Suaram executive director Azura Nasron says the two teenagers are in custody and have met their lawyers.

Suaram executive director Azura Nasron called for the immediate release of the two 17-year-olds.

KUALA LUMPUR:

 A rights group has urged the home ministry to immediately clarify the detention of two 17-year-olds under Sosma, the special security law, which the group says violates children’s rights.

“We also want them released today, as it is clearly an abuse of power and unlawful,” said Azura Nasron, executive director of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).

She said the home ministry cannot remain silent, given conflicting police information about the arrests as the facts confirmed that the two teenagers are in custody and have met their respective lawyers.

“We know six people from their families are involved. How can the police claim there are none, when we know there are two? The ministry must respond,” she told a press conference outside federal police headquarters at Bukit Aman today.

Erika Sam, a lawyer representing one of the teenagers from Langkawi, said she was allowed to meet her client for only 15 minutes yesterday which she said was insufficient time for effective legal consultation.

She said her client was also not permitted to meet with family members throughout the detention period.

“We also have no information on whether the social welfare department was notified of the detention, as legally required in cases involving children,” she said, alleging that her client faced intimidation during custody and investigation.

Another lawyer, T Shashi Devan, representing a teenager from Alor Setar, revealed that the family was only allowed to meet the detainee after 19 days in custody.

Shashi also questioned the investigation’s transparency, noting discrepancies between police statements and information provided to his client.

“The investigating officer said the case was only recently forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.

“However, my client was told that charges would be filed in an Alor Setar court on March 8. How can a detainee know this before official information is given to their lawyer?” she asked.

Last Tuesday, Suaram claimed that at least six teenagers are currently detained under Sosma.

Suaram also said Pengkalan Kundor assemblywoman Mardhiyyah Johari lodged a complaint with the child commissioner’s office, alleging that a 17-year-old boy was detained under Sosma on Feb 15 at his home.

However, Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar denied the allegation, insisting that a check revealed no records of any 17-year-old being detained on that date. - FMT