Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has raised alarm over continued allegations of law enforcement agencies torturing detained suspects, calling for an end to the practice and the application of professional investigative methods.
In a statement on Friday to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the ZHRC also expressed concern over the use of torture by private individuals in various circumstances, including domestic violence.
“Despite recent legislative progress, the ZHRC remains deeply concerned about persistent allegations of torture by law enforcement officers to intimidate, punish, or extract information from accused persons and human rights activists. These acts violate the principles of modern, professional policing. The ZHRC is also alarmed by the reported use of torture by private citizens, particularly in cases of domestic violence involving both children and adults,” it said.
The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed annually on June 26, to mark the day in 1987 when the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) came into force. It was officially recognized by the UN General Assembly in Resolution 52/149 of 1997.
Zimbabwe recently took a major step by abolishing the death penalty; a move the ZHRC said contributes to protecting offenders from extreme forms of mental and physical torture, as well as cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment.
However, the ZHRC noted with concern that Zimbabwe remains one of only two African countries, alongside Tanzania, that have not signed or ratified UNCAT and its Optional Protocol, despite constitutional provisions explicitly prohibiting torture.
The ZHRC renewed its call for the government to ratify both UNCAT and its Optional Protocol, along with the UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
“Ratifying these instruments will reinforce Zimbabwe’s constitutional commitments, signal the country’s dedication to upholding international human rights standards, enhance accountability for torture-related violations, and provide a framework for addressing historical abuses,” it said.
New Ziana
