Lauding the High Court ruling in the A Kugan death-in-custody case, SSVM pointed to the continuous calls for independent investigative bodies, such as the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), an independent judiciary and an effective coroner's court, to be set up.
E Nalini (right),
the executive director of Suaram, which is one of the NGOs under SSVM,
said in a statement today Kuala Lumpur High Court judge VT Singham's
judgment showed that police were liable for the death of Kugan,
including then Selangor police chief and present Inspector-General of
Police, Khalid Abu Bakar."Hence, we call upon the IGP to resign from his position and take full responsibility for Kugan's death when he was Selangor police chief," Nalini said.
She noted that many other cases of custodial death were still undergoing inquests, while some remained unresolved.
Nalini said many police officers and men involved in causing deaths in custody were still walking free.
Ratify UN convention on torture now
"They have to be brought to justice and they have to be held accountable for their actions. We must end any form torture or custodial death."
She said the Malaysian government still refused to ratify the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol.
"Torture cannot be justified as a form of punishment. A detainee is innocent until proven guilty, through the court process.
"We strongly urge the Malaysian government to immediately ratify the UN convention. The government must move forward now, with a positive attitude to build a society that shows respect for the rights and dignity of persons at all times and is also free from violence," Nalini said.
Suaram's coordinator R Thevarajan (right) said he agreed with Justice Singham's call for the setting up of the IPCMC."Suaram has noted 209 deaths in custody from 2000 till September 2012. In 2013 alone there were five deaths in police custody, namely Chang Chin Tee, C Sugumar, Muhammad Kusyairi, N Dhamendran and P Karuna Nithi," Thevarajan said.
"We reject the statement of the home minister earlier that there were only two deaths this year.
"Suaram would like to remind Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi not to give false information on victims of custodial deaths," Thevarajan said.
Suaram also wants Zahid to provide a clear breakdown of the names and cases he referred to in Parliament.
"Suaram is ready to engage with the authorities in order to compile the facts on the ground of deaths in custody in Malaysia.
"We reiterate again: In order to stop this culture of impunity, an oversight mechanism to monitor the police force, such as the IPCMC, is crucial in this country. Set up the IPCMC now," Thevarajan added.
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