ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) joins victims and survivors of torture in marking International Day In Support of Victims of Torture and implores government to combat the abhorrent practice.
On International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which is commemorated every year on 26 June, the world unites to stand against the dark shadow of torture and this day serves as a rallying cry and an opportunity to raise voices, honour victims and survivors and fight for justice, rehabilitation, healing and compensation.
Commemoration of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture serves as a reminder that torture is an egregious violation of human rights and also provides a platform to shed light on the physical, psychological, and emotional pain endured by victims of torture.
The absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, must be a priority for all states because the practice of torture severely impacts the physical and psychological state of victims and the conditions and circumstances conducive to its practice, should be eradicated.
In Zimbabwe, ZLHR is extremely concerned about reports of incidents of torture of suspects and accused persons in detention cells, where members of the security services have been implicated as perpetrators and yet provisions of the Constitution, particularly section 53, outlaws this heinous practice.
Equally worrying is the complete failure by government to fight impunity by investigating, prosecuting and punishing perpetrators of torture.
ZLHR is also concerned that despite advocacy from civic groups and recommendations made by several United Nations member states for the government to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its optional Protocol, it is extremely disappointing that no action has been taken in this regard.
It is critical to note that ratification of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is one of the effective measures to prevent acts of torture and its devastating consequences.
It is high time that government criminalise torture and prevent it and to uphold the rights of victims and survivors to redress. Perpetrators of torture must never be allowed to get away with their crimes as the practice of torture constitutes a crime against humanity and one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on fellow human beings.
ENDS
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Kodzero/Amalungelo House
No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118
Email: info@zlhr.org
www.zlhr.org.zw
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