“We are appalled by the statement made by the Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar claiming that the police would not abuse Maria Chin Abdullah and that he would personally see that she is not mistreated in detention,” said Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy in a statement today.

He said the solitary confinement in which Maria was kept was by its own merit a clear case of inhuman treatment, if not torture.

The human rights organisation said it was also shocked by the IGP’s admission that such treatment was accorded to all Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 detainees, the same Act Maria has been detained under.

“The implication of such a practice implies that the police are actively and openly utilising torture as part of its operations,” he said.

Sevan reminded the IGP that the use of torture was a recognised crime under international law and that the right to be free from torture was a non-derogable right.

Furthermore, he said, the detention conditions experienced by Maria clearly contravened the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners.

“There is no ground for the IGP to claim that the detention conditions experienced by Maria comply with international standards,” said Sevan.

“We reiterate our condemnation of the arrest and detention of Maria and call for her immediate and unconditional release.

“Failure to do so would only serve to further sully the reputation and integrity of the Royal Malaysian Police.”