The Human Rights Commission has called on the government to enact a law that criminalises torture and other cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment in order to effectively combat such crimes and violations.
Human Rights Commission Spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya says the enactment of an anti-torture law will greatly contribute to effective protection of suspects from acts of torture from Law Enforcement Agencies and also provide for adequate punishment of perpetrators and compensation of victims of torture.
Mr. Muleya states that by using the law relating to assault to punish crimes of torture, Zambia is falling short of meeting her international and national obligation to effectively combat the heinous acts of torture, which are illegally occasionally used as methods of investigations and interrogations.
He further adds that the Commission believes that enacting an anti-torture law will be a more sustainable and effective way of combating crimes of torture against everyone regardless of their status than sporadic condemnation of such acts whenever individuals of a certain status are affected.
He states that the Commission has refrained from commenting on the recent allegations of torture by some individuals in order to avoid jeopardising investigations by an institution to which such allegations have officially been made.
He discloses that the Commission will however continue investigating and monitoring allegations of torture and has urged all victims to obtain medical reports and ensure that such reports are signed by a certified medical practitioner to give them credence.
