'Suhakam, probe Uthaya's prison horror stories'

 

Proham has urged the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to investigate detention conditions in prisons following former detainee P Uthayakumar's revelations of  his experiences in Kajang Prison.

"Proham recognises that the Suhakam Act empowers the Human Rights Commission not only to visit detention centres but also undertake public inquiries.

"We therefore urge Suhakam to undertake a comprehensive review so as to ensure the treatment of prisoners and prison conditions are in accordance with basic United Nations standards," Proham chairperson Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari said in a statement today.

Kuthubul also called on the home minister and the director-general of prisons to engage with Suhakam for a review of current standard operating procedures (SOP) on treatment of prisoners and conditions in Malaysian prisons

Kuthubul reminded that with its recent acceptance as a UN Security Council member, Malaysia should adhere to the basic principles for the treatment of prisoners as adopted by the UN general assembly.

In a series of interviews with Malaysiakini this week, the Hindraf leader related his ordeal during his two years in Kajang Prison, after being convicted for sedition.

Prisoners have rights too

Meanwhile, Kuthubul urged for implementation of the basic principles for the treatment of prisoners which were adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly resolution 45/111 in 1990.

The resolution states that all prisoners must be treated with respect as human beings and should not be discriminated on any grounds.

“Except for those limitations that are demonstrably necessitated by the fact of incarceration, all prisoners shall retain the human rights and fundamental freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“All prisoners shall have the right to take part in cultural activities and education aimed at the full development of the human personality,” Kuthubul said.

He also pointed out that there should be efforts to address the abolition of solitary confinement as a punishment.

“(Also), prisoners shall have access to health services available in the country without discrimination on the grounds of their legal situation.

“Favourable conditions shall be created for the reintegration of the ex-prisoner into society under the best possible conditions,” he added.