Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUALALUMPUR626
2009-07-31 09:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
MALAYSIA AND INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE
how-toVZCZCXRO1040 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHKL #0626 2120929 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 310929Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3042 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2808 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0648 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000626
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR DRL/MLGA FOR KRISTEN MCGEENY AND EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UN MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA AND INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE
REF: STATE 70129
UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000626
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR DRL/MLGA FOR KRISTEN MCGEENY AND EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UN MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA AND INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE
REF: STATE 70129
1. (SBU) Malaysia has not developed mechanisms to prevent
torture or protect victims. Malaysia has not ratified the UN
Convention against Torture. Torture and ill treatment are
commonly suffered by individuals detained under the Internal
Security Act (ISA). Malaysia routinely practices caning as a
punishment against prisoners and illegal immigrants: prison
department records aired in Parliament in June 2009
documented 34,923 reports of caning by Malaysian authorities
since 2002 on immigrants alone. The government does not have
any programs, policies, or initiatives designed to counter
torture or assist victims. Some government affiliated NGO's
have called on the government to cease all methods of
torture.
2. (SBU) A few NGOs in Malaysia oppose torture and have been
pushing for reform for many years. The government-sponsored
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) lists ending
torture as one of its principal goals. Other NGO's in
Malaysia vocally opposing torture include the Malaysian Bar
Council, SUARAM (Malaysian People,s Voice) and its
subsidiary Abolish the ISA Movement, and Amnesty
International Malaysia. While these NGOs have successfully
raised public awareness on torture, they have failed to
achieve any tangible results.
KEITH
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR DRL/MLGA FOR KRISTEN MCGEENY AND EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UN MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA AND INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE
REF: STATE 70129
1. (SBU) Malaysia has not developed mechanisms to prevent
torture or protect victims. Malaysia has not ratified the UN
Convention against Torture. Torture and ill treatment are
commonly suffered by individuals detained under the Internal
Security Act (ISA). Malaysia routinely practices caning as a
punishment against prisoners and illegal immigrants: prison
department records aired in Parliament in June 2009
documented 34,923 reports of caning by Malaysian authorities
since 2002 on immigrants alone. The government does not have
any programs, policies, or initiatives designed to counter
torture or assist victims. Some government affiliated NGO's
have called on the government to cease all methods of
torture.
2. (SBU) A few NGOs in Malaysia oppose torture and have been
pushing for reform for many years. The government-sponsored
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) lists ending
torture as one of its principal goals. Other NGO's in
Malaysia vocally opposing torture include the Malaysian Bar
Council, SUARAM (Malaysian People,s Voice) and its
subsidiary Abolish the ISA Movement, and Amnesty
International Malaysia. While these NGOs have successfully
raised public awareness on torture, they have failed to
achieve any tangible results.
KEITH