Suhakam exposes assault on woman, degrading searches at prisons, depot

 Rights commission highlights weak prison probes, mistreatment of inmates and improper detainee screening procedures in its 2024 annual report.

Suhakam’s 2024 annual report highlighted alleged rights violations at the Kajang Women’s Prison and at the Bukit Jalil immigration detention depot, among others. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has flagged several rights violations in prisons and immigration detention facilities, including the assault on a female inmate by a male officer and degrading search procedures at an immigration depot.

In its 2024 annual report, Suhakam said it conducted an investigation into Kajang Women’s Prison from June to September 2024, taking statements from 36 witnesses and examining 39 exhibits obtained from the prisons department and police.

The commission found that allegations of assault against a high-risk prisoner, identified as “Banduan 1”, by a male officer on Feb 21, 2024 were substantiated.

Suhakam also separately investigated an allegation of violence against another woman prisoner, “Banduan 2”, on March 27, 2024, but was unable to conclusively verify the incident.

“However, there is probable cause that this use of force had taken place because the same (male) officer who assaulted Banduan 1 was involved in the case,” the report said.

Suhakam said allegations that prison officers used abusive language and treated women prisoners in a degrading manner were also substantiated.

It found that some officers had provided false testimony during its inquiry and were negligent in carrying out their duties, while the prison’s internal investigation into the assault was weak and lacked transparency.

Suhakam also raised concerns over unclear procedures regarding the presence of male officers in women’s prison blocks, weak security controls that allowed prohibited items to be smuggled in, and the loss of official documents.

The commission also flagged detention screening procedures at the Bukit Jalil immigration depot during its investigations into the death of a Pakistani detainee who was detained on Jan 6, 2024 and died nine days later from hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen and reduced blood flow to the brain).

It found that male detainees were made to strip in groups during checks at the immigration depot, while female detainees were searched in an open toilet visible to passers-by, including male officers.

Suhakam said the practice was carried out twice: when detainees entered the depot and again when they were transferred to the detention block.

“Suhakam recommended that the immigration department review detainee screening procedures based on its findings.”

It also urged the department to stop conducting “degrading and improper” screening procedures. - FMT