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Monday, 6 September 2010

Call to enact anti-torture law

The Sun 
by Bernard Cheah

GEORGE TOWN (Sept 5, 2010): A human rights non-governmental organisation has proposed that an anti-torture legislation be introduced in the country.

'Malaysian for Beng Hock' Campaign adviser Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said there should be a change in the way enforcement officers handle individuals who are alleged to be involved in criminal activities.

"Why should those suspected of crime be beaten up or killed while in custody?" he asked, adding that those accused should instead be taken to court.

He also said that under the proposed anti-torture law, government officers found guilty of torturing others would be punished.

Toh said there had been several cases of people dying while under custody of authorities, such as the police, and now under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), in view of the death of Teoh Beng Hock in July last year.

"If we are to looking for a torture-free society, there should not be any form of torture at all," he said at the 'Penang for Beng Hock' Forum held at Han Chiang College, attended by over 200 people today.

The public forum was jointly organised by Suaram Penang together with Aliran, Sembang-sembang Forum, Lim Lian Geok Cultural Development Centre (LLG) Penang Branch and Amnesty International Malaysia.

The other panel speakers were Aliran president P Ramakrishnan and Amnesty's executive director Nora Murat.

Toh, who is also LLG president, said the public wanted the truth about who is responsible for Teoh's death and why.

"We have been feeling anger, rage, and grief since (the incident) last year. But now, we want the truth," he said.

Teoh, 30, the political secretary to Selangor State Executive Councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16 last year on the Fifth Floor, Plaza Masalam after giving evidence at the office of the MACC, Selangor on the 14th Floor of the same building.

Ramakrishnan echoed Toh's statement, saying that the issue should have been pursued more vigorously. He also suggested that a Royal Commission of Inquiry should be set up to look into the matter as well.

A 20-plus minute video clip of Teoh's sister, Teoh Lee Lan, giving updates on the inquest as well as the family's situation was screened at the forum.

The inquest into Teoh's death resumes on Sept 20. -- theSun

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