III. Other Human Rights Issues Deaths in Detention 63. Around 650 deaths in prisons, immigration detention centres and police lock-ups were recorded from 2015 to 20164. Although SUHAKAM is informed that the causes of death were mostly related to diseases contracted prior to detention, the number of deaths is alarming. 64. i. ii. iii. Recommendations: Place a medical officer at every detention centre. Conduct health screening on detainees upon admission to detention centres. Conduct an inquest including a post-mortem examination following all deaths in detention to verify the cause of the death. Business and Human Rights 65. SUHAKAM welcomes the government’s decision in November 2017 to develop a national action plan on business and human rights (NAPBHR). 66. i. Recommendation: Develop a NAPBHR in line with the UNGP and integrate a gender perspective in the development process and contents of the NAPBHR. Inter-Agency Coordination 67. SUHAKAM welcomes the establishment of the National Department of Integrity and Good Governance in 2017, which also serves as the main government body to coordinate efforts on human rights matters. 68. i. ii. Recommendations: Provide the Department with adequate human and financial resources. Enhance inter-agency coordination for greater effectiveness in addressing human rights issues. Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights (PSC) 69. As the Parliament does not debate SUHAKAM’s Annual Reports, a PSC is necessary to ensure that human rights issues are deliberated in Parliament. The government has agreed to form a Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights, which started operating in March 2018. Hopefully, the Caucus will lead to the establishment of the permanent PSC. 70. i. Recommendation: Establish a permanent PSC. 9