STOP STATE VIOLENCE

(Gambar Malaysiakini)


STOP STATE VIOLENCE MOVEMENT

Secretariat : SUARAM (Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd)
433A, 1st floor Jalan 5/46, Gasing Indah, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
(T) 603-7784 3525  (F) 603- 7784 3526    

Email : suaram@suaram.net 

Press Statement: 27 June 2013
Landmark Judgment: Police Reform is a Must for Check and Balance

Stop The State Violence Movement welcomes yesterday's landmark judgment by the High Court, Justice Datuk VT Singham awarding RM851, 700 in damages to the family of A Kugan[1], who died in police custody in 2009 at Taipan Police Station, Subang Jaya.

In his judgment yesterday, Singham bravely ruled that the court found that all defendants, including the current Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Khalid Abu Bakar were liable.  We call up on the IGP to resign from his position and take full responsibility on Kugan’s death in 2009 when he was the CPO for Selangor.

Landmark Court Ruling in support of justice in the Public Interest

The brave judgment by Singham must be applauded. While many Malaysians have lost confidence in judges and the judiciary, this landmark decision, based on principles of human rights upholds justice in the public interest.  Singham's decision has been long-awaited by Civil Societies who have been campaigning for police reform in this country. Many other deaths in custody are still undergoing inquests with the courts concluding that some deaths remain unsolved, opting to hand down an open verdict. Such decisions mark a failure to take action against the culprits behind the deaths of more than 200 victims under police custody. Many police officers who have been involved in causing death in custody are still walking free. They have to be brought to justice and they have to be held accountable for their actions.

The myth that the police force can act with impunity must be broken.  In order to achieve the process of accountability, there is absolutely no doubt that we need independent investigative bodies like the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) , an independent judiciary and an independent and effective coroners court where justice and human rights form the crucial framework.
 

Malaysia Must End any of Torture and Custodial death
Singham's judgment