Hunger Strike Continues as Families Demand Answers on Detainees’ Conditions
Family Members End Hunger Strike, Detainees Continue Demanding Meeting with Home Ministry Representatives
PETALING JAYA: About 50 people, including family members and supporters, camped outside the Sungai Buloh prison in protest against the detention of 32 people under the Sosma security law.
Background
The 32 detainees are being held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, which allows for detention for up to 28 days of anyone suspected of security offences. The families of the detainees have been concerned about their condition, with no communication between them and their loved ones.
Hunger Strike and Demands
Family members decided to go on hunger strike in solidarity with the detainees, soon after the human rights commission Suhakam said it would investigate claims of inadequate medical care and delayed trials faced by several detainees. The hunger strike was meant to bring attention to the plight of the detainees and to demand answers from the authorities.
Families’ Demands
Azura Nasron of the Suaram human rights group told FMT that the families are demanding to meet representatives from the home ministry. "They are demanding to meet representatives from the home ministry," she said.
Prison Department’s Response
According to Azura, the prisons department has informed the families that the detainees do not want to meet with them, but no reason was provided. "Right now, there is no communication between the families and the detainees. They are only relying on what the prisons department is telling them," she said.
Future Plans
The families plan to meet with home ministry officials tomorrow in Putrajaya to demand answers over why their applications to visit the detainees were refused. "They will be going there together with prison officials," she said.
Conclusion
The hunger strike by the detainees will continue, with Azura stating that they are demanding to meet representatives from the home ministry. The families’ concerns about the condition of the 32 detainees remain, and the authorities must provide answers to their demands.
FAQs
Q: How many people are being detained under the Sosma security law?
A: 32 people are being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act.
Q: What is the purpose of the hunger strike?
A: The hunger strike is to bring attention to the plight of the detainees and to demand answers from the authorities.
Q: What are the demands of the families?
A: The families are demanding to meet representatives from the home ministry and to know the condition of their loved ones.
Q: What is the response of the prisons department to the hunger strike?
A: The prisons department has informed the families that the detainees do not want to meet with them, but no reason was provided.