A report from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and Human Rights Watch accused police in Bahrain of rounding up and mistreating children as young as 11.
Nation 22 Jan 2021
PETALING JAYA: The alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl who was held at the Miri police station lockup raises concerns on the government s lack of measures and mechanisms to protect children, says the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
Suhakam s children s commissioner Datuk Noor Aziah Mohd Awal said that such an incident should not have occurred, especially when the child was under the supervision of law enforcement officers.
Noor Aziah, who said she was appalled at the incident, said it was of utmost importance that any investigation be carried out in the best interests of the child. More often than not, when a child comes into conflict with the law, there is a tendency to forget the fact that children are first and foremost victims and fundamental care to protect them is highly necessary, she said in a statement on Monday (Jan 18).