Home Minister invites Human Rights Watch to share findings of human rights violations

PUTRAJAYA: The Home Minister invites Human Rights Watch for a meeting to share its findings of human rights violations and abuses happening in Immigration detention centres.

Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said since the body had claimed there were abuses and deaths at the depots, it should provide details, including the names of the victims and in which depot the incident happened.

“I am willing to listen, and if they can come up with evidence, I will personally call for an investigation to be carried out immediately.

“Until then, the report's claims will remain hearsay, and I believe a poor methodology was used in preparing the report,” he said.

He said the ministry views issues on human rights as important, be it affecting Malaysians or foreigners.

Saifuddin said that while the report claimed 1,400 children were detained at these centres, he pointed out that the ministry’s Baitul Mahabbah programme was formed to ensure the safety and well-being of children in Immigration depots.

Human Rights Watch, in its recent report, claimed that Immigration depots had deplorable conditions, were devoid of medical care and added that detainees were subject to torture and prolonged physical abuse, which had led to several deaths.

It also claimed that the majority of children at detention centres were unaccompanied or separated from their families.