FAC News - Friday, June 21, 2002 8:19 AM

SUHAKAM INQUIRY ON THE ISA: ISA detainees ask for conjugal visits

None of the Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees had any complaints with the way they were being treated or about their meals, other than the size of the chicken was a wee bit small and should be increased slightly, but many felt that they should be allowed conjugal visits.

The detainees told the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) public inquiry, that was held over two days on 18 and 19 June 2002, that it is the duty of every husband to fulfill his wife’s needs, and this need extends beyond just financial support.

The detainees stressed that Muslims are required to fulfill their marriage obligations and never “leave” their wife for a period longer than four months. As it is now, they are being detained for at least two years, or probably longer, and they cannot even have physical contact with their wives, let alone spend a private moment with them.

When detainees meet their wives, it is for only 45 minutes and only once a week. Then they have to meet their wives behind metal screens and in the presence of the camp guards. The guards are constantly not only within eyesight, but within earshot as well, so they are not able to even have an intimate conversation.

To deny a detainee’s wife her right to conjugal visits when she is not the one under detention is inhumane and a violation of her fundamental right, argued the detainees. It is also unIslamic, they added, because Islam stipulates that a husband has a duty to his wife.

One detainee related incidences of some detainees’ wives straying while their husbands were under detention because their husbands could not fulfill their needs.

The detainees also said that the 45 minutes a week family visits are too short. Some of the families need to drive 8 to 10 hours from faraway States such as Johor or Kelantan, and at great cost, just to spend 45 minutes with them. The detainees felt that the visitation period should be lengthened, especially for those who have to drive great distances.

Also, the metal screen separating the detainees from their families is unnecessary as, when the families visit them during the 60-day detention period, they are allowed to be together in the same room without any metal screens.

The detainees appealed to Suhakam to raise these matters with the authorities so that something could be done about it.