CHAPTER 1 4.3 Medical treatment for detainees in Immigration Depots The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Dato’ Sri Dr. Hj Ismail Mohamed Said told Parliament in July7 that the total number of detainees in immigration detention centres was 15,163 (as of 1 July) compared to the depot capacity of 12,530 detainees at a time. Parliament was also informed that from January to June, 23 people died at immigration depots nationwide8. They were 18 adult males, three adult females and two children. During our visits to immigration depots throughout Malaysia, SUHAKAM observed that only medical assistants (MA) were placed in depots to provide healthcare to the detainees. The MAs are assisted by immigration staff in the clinic. SUHAKAM also took note of the nearest mobile clinic services to the immigration depots. These mobile clinics have a doctor to treat unhealthy detainees and to provide further treatment for the detainees. However, SUHAKAM believes that government, through MOH, should place a medical officer in every immigration detention centre to treat detainees. 5. DEATH IN CUSTODY In the year of review, SUHAKAM investigated 12 cases pertaining to death in custody. Besides receiving complaints from family members and NGOs, SUHAKAM also took its own initiative to conduct investigations into deaths in custody which came to our attention. Of the 12 cases, six occurred in prisons, four in police lock-ups and two cases were at immigration depots. As death in detention is an important human rights issue, SUHAKAM can investigate without complaints from any party. The investigation involves convening meetings, conducting interviews, and recording statements of witnesses, family members, inmates and medical personnel including pathologists who performed the autopsies. In addition, SUHAKAM visits the detention centres where the death occurred, requests for the relevant documents, obtains CCTV footage and other matters related to the case. SUHAKAM has completed investigations into five cases and seven are still pending. 7 8 https://www.parlimen.gov.my/files/hindex/pdf/KKDR-20072020.pdf https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/08/07/214-died-during-detention-in-first-six-months ANNUAL REPORT 2020 39