Monday, 6 December 2010

Malaysia urged to stop caning 'epidemic'

BBC News Online has a summary of an Amnesty International report, published today, regarding corporal punishment in Malaysia:
Caning as a form of judicial punishment in Malaysia has reached "epidemic" proportions and should be banned, according to a human rights group.

Blows administered to the body with a long cane are a legal punishment for more than 60 offences in the country.

Amnesty International claims at least 10,000 prisoners and 6,000 refugees are caned there each year.

The government says caning is a legal and effective deterrent from criminal activity.

But Amnesty says the practice amounts to cruel and inhumane treatment as it leaves both physical and psychological damage, and should be banned.
Whole article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11911998

Original report: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_21090.pdf

By the way, rattan canes are used for religious punishments elsewhere in the world (Indonesia, for example).

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