KUALA LUMPUR: Human Rights Watch has defended their report concerning torture and deaths in immigration detention centres in the country.
Its deputy Asia director Phil Robertson said instead of listening to the recommendations and fixing the problems identified by the global human rights watch group, they are engaging in a campaign of denial.
He added that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is engaging in a campaign of intimidation against the group.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Immigration Department got caught with their pants down and now, instead of listening to the recommendations and fixing the problems identified, they are engaging in a campaign of denial.
"In advance of the report, the government ignored the problem, and now the minister is trying to play an intimidation campaign against us.
"It's a further sad commentary on the all out failure of accountability when it comes to senior levels of the Malaysian government," he said to the New Straits Times.
Yesterday, Saifuddin said he is still waiting for HRW to meet him regarding a report concerning torture and deaths in immigration detention centres in the country.
Despite extending invitations to the global human rights group, he said he had yet to meet its representatives.
Last month, Saifuddin refuted HRW's report in parliament, describing it as highly irresponsible.
He said the country strictly adheres to the law, guided by compassion and humanity.
