Immigration Detention Centre: KL asked to probe death of foreigners

Rights organisation Fortify Rights has demanded that Malaysia investigate deaths at its immigration detention centres without any delay.

The National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) in its annual report published yesterday says as many as 118 foreigners died in Malaysia's immigration detention centres in 2015 and 2016.

Of the immigrations who died, 63 are Myanmar nationals, 17 Bangladeshis, 10 Indonesians, six Indians and four are Pakistanis. Other foreign nationals who suffered deaths are from Cambodia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Thailand.

Officials say there are some four lakh Bangladeshis in Malaysia. A good number of them are undocumented who often face detention.

According to the Bangladesh foreign ministry, as many as 2,469 Bangladeshis were in Malaysian jails as of February 14 this year.

“A single death in immigration custody is unacceptable. More than 100 deaths are completely inexcusable,” said Amy Smith, executive director of Fortify Rights, a rights body working in Southeast Asia. 

“SUHAKAM's report should send shockwaves throughout the Malaysian government and elicit an immediate response,” she said in a press statement.

The causes of death reportedly ranged from sepsis or septic shock, leptospirosis -- a type of bacterial infection -- pneumonia, lung infections, and heart related conditions. In 50 of the reported cases, the authorities have apparently failed to provide the specific cause of death.

The SUHAKAM described the situation in detention centres as “untenable living conditions with little regard for the inmates' basic human dignity”.

“These deaths can't be swept under the rug,” said Amy Smith, adding, “Those responsible must be held to account.”

Malaysia's Immigration Department implausibly claimed that detainees contracted illnesses prior to their detention.

“The problems with Malaysia's immigration detention practices extend well beyond budgetary concerns,” Amy Smith observed.

“Malaysian authorities could begin tackling this by ending arbitrary and indefinite detention of migrants, including refugees and survivors of trafficking. No money is required to uphold the right to liberty.”

Fortify Rights has also demanded re-opening an investigation into the human trafficking of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and Bangladeshis in recent years.

Despite discovery of more than 100 gravesites of suspected trafficking victims in Wang Kelian in 2015, the Malaysian government's investigation has failed to result in any notable accountability, it said.

“We've seen little accountability for the trafficking of tens of thousands of Rohingya and others into Malaysia,” said Amy Smith.

“Urgent action must be taken to end impunity for human traffickers and ensure protection for survivors.”