‘Ratify UN convention on torture’

Showing commitment: Shamini signing the mock convention at the campaign launch. With her are Bar Council Malaysia president Steven Thiru (left) and Suhakam executive director Sevan Doraisamy.

KUALA LUMPUR: Civil societies want the Government to show its commitment in addressing an alarmingly high number of deaths in police custody, which they attribute to torture.

There were 259 such deaths since 2000 and the societies – Amnesty International Malaysia, Suhakam, Bar Council, Suaram and Lawyers for Liberty – have joined forces to campaign for the Government to ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment (CAT).