Rights group: 80 percent of detainees tortured

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 04/09/2010 11:18 PM | National

A survey conducted by the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YBHI) recently found that about 80 percent of detainees in the country suffered from acts of violence under police investigation.

"Based on our survey, about 70 to 80 percent of detainees suffered from violence while under police detention," YLBHI chairman Patra M Zen said on Friday.

He said marginalized groups who did not understand the law and did not obtain proper legal aid were prone to the act of violence.

Therefore, he suggested that the bill on legal aid, which was being deliberated at the House of Representatives, accommodate legal aid for poor people.

The rights group also asked the President to allocate funds and facilities for legal aid and consultation at all state detention houses and penitentiaries.