Suaram alarmed as Rela heads back to detention camps

By G Vinod

PETALING JAYA: Suaram is alarmed that the government has decided to allow Rela volunteers back into immigration detention centres.In a statement released today, the human rights group noted that Rela personnel were withdrawn from the detention camps last year following allegations that they had abused detainees.

Suaram was responding to reports that the government was planning to revamp the management of the detention centres and upgrade their facilities.

“We laud the government's move to revamp the facilities as many human rights organisations have raised concerns regarding the deplorable conditions and poor management of the detention centres.

“But we are concerned that the government is planning to bring back Rela officers into the detention camps,” said Suaram coordinator Temme Lee.

“We have repeatedly argued that Rela personnel should not be allowed to handle detention centres as they are not well-trained to handle migrants,” he said.

He also called on the government to stop treating illegal immigrants as if they were common criminals. Confining them to detention centres should be the last resort, he said.

“Their only guilt is flouting immigration laws,” Lee said. “If there is a need to detain them, perhaps the government can consider other alternatives like what Australia is doing — keeping the migrants in community detention premises.”

Welfare aspects ignored

Lee also said the proposed revamp did not take into account the welfare of detainees.

“It seems the government is only looking into the security aspects.”

“Suaram feels that adequate attention must also be given towards fulfilling the basic rights of the detainees, such as providing them clothing, clean water, bedding, proper healthcare and other basic needs.”

Suaram also urged the government to ensure that the detention centres comply with international human rights standards.

“The government can look into the United Nations' Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment as a guide,” Lee said.

“We also urge the government to hold regular dialogues with civil society movements and other stakeholders on how to improve the management of immigration detention centres in the country.”

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/news/general/9696-suaram-alarmed-as-rela-heads-back-to-detention-camps