Women's Organisations Want Ear Squats To Be Stopped

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Several women's organisations and opposition parties want the nude ear squat procedure practised by the police on women detainees to be halted because it outrages their dignity.
The organisations comprised Dewan Muslimat Pas Pusat (DMPP), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) women's movement, DAP, Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM), Women's Development Collective (WDC), All Women Action Council (AWAM) and women's wing of Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.
Head of Dewan Muslimat PAS, Azizah Khatib Mat told a press conference, Monday that PAS hoped the practice would be halted immediately.
"It is a violation of the human rights, an insult to humanity and violates the Islamic law. DPMM hopes this practice will be halted immediately by the police," she said.
PKR Wanita vice head Zuraida Kamaruddin described the ear squat procedure as an abuse of power on the part of the police.
"It does not matter if the person is a Malay, Chinese or Indian. It is against the rights of a person and should not be condoned," she added.
Head of Wanita Pusat JIM Harlina Halizah Siraj meanwhile said the bad treatment given to women detainees was a sexual abuse intended to outrage the pride and modesty of a person.
"Despite it being the easiest and most effective way to reveal the object hidden in the private parts, revealing the whole body for the purpose is way too much and inhumane," she said.
Yasmin Masidi of Awam said that the police should have a written guideline in carrying out the nude ear squat procedure so as to protect the detainees.
"The detainees should also be protected. There should not be any sort of intimidation. The police should also be more transparent and be fair and clear on things," she added.