The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has today joined the international community in celebrating the United Nations Day in support of victims of torture which falls on 26th June of every year and has reiterated its call to Government to enact a law that criminalises torture.
Commission Spokesperson Director Education, Training and Advocacy, Mweelwa Muleya, says over the years, the Commission has continued to highlight gruesome cases of torture, mainly taking place at the time of arresting and interviewing suspects by law enforcement officers but efforts towards enacting a law to effectively combat acts of torture have remained on-going.
“Regrettably, acts of torture have remained unabated, resulting in serious injuries, permanent disabilities and in extreme cases, loss of life of victims,” said Mr. Muleya in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
Mr. Muleya said some of the impairments suffered by suspects as a result of torture include loss of sight, hearing, teeth, broken limbs such as legs or arms and mental disability, adding that many remain incapacitated, unable to support themselves or their families long after the abuse.
He said Zambia has an international, regional and national obligation to outlaw torture through enactment of a national legislation that prevents, prohibits and punishes acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Mr. Muleya has further acknowledged the positive efforts by the State towards preventing torture through the prohibition of such acts under Article 15 of the Constitution, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia and the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).
Mr. Muleya has emphasized that torture be recognized and treated as a crime against humanity within national law, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive legislation.
By Margaret Mwanza
