The Human Rights Commission says it remains deeply concerned that perpetrators of acts of torture continue being charged with lesser offences of assault than the grave nature of torture because of the absence of the law criminalising torture in Zambia.
The Commission has since urged government to speedy up the process of enacting the law criminalising torture in Zambia to provide appropriate punishment to perpetrators, and remedies to victims of torture.
Commission spokesperson Mwelwa Muleya said it is deeply concerning that because of the absence of an Anti-Torture Act in Zambia, individuals who commit heinous acts of torture continue being charged with lesser offences of Common Assault and Assaults Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm as provided for under Sections 247 and 248 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
“Article 4 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ((UNCAT)) obliges State Parties such as Zambia to enact laws that criminalise acts of torture and make such offences punishable by appropriate penalties which take into account the grave nature of torture. Zambia ratified the UNCAT 30 years ago in 1989 but she has not yet domesticated it by enacting a national legislation to give legal effect to the global anti-torture law in Zambia”, Mr. Muleya said.
He said although the Commission acknowledges the positive step taken by the Government by drafting the Anti-Torture Bill which was adopted in principle by Cabinet on 4th December 2017, the apparent slow enactment process is deeply worrying.
Mr. Muleya said the continued harm suffered by victims of torture, particularly on vulnerable members of society such as children without appropriate remedies, should remind the Government about the urgent need to enhance the right to protection against torture by enacting the law.
He said the lack of a an Act of Parliament Criminalising Torture in Zambia has also made it difficult for actors in the criminal justice system to invoke Article 15 of the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, which prohibit torture.
Mr. Muleya said there is currently no law that criminalises and defines torture and provides penalties and remedies for acts of torture in Zambia, making it difficulties for law enforcement officers, prosecutors and the courts of law to invoke Article 15 of the Constitution of Zambia.
He said it is the desire of the Commission that the Bill Criminalising Torture in Zambia will be enacted into law by the end of 2019, and that such a law should broaden the definition of torture to include acts committed by private individuals instead of only focussing on public officers.
Mr. Muleya said Acts of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment are a gross violation of human rights and absolutely prohibited and punishable under international human rights law.
Thats why ICC is the way to go
Where are the lawyers in the country to advise the MPs to pass such a law? Just busy politicking like professionals. Whee is LAZ? These are some of the issues that should have been submitted when submissions to the public debate on refining the constitution were sort. These lawyers are crooks wanting to chew public funds by calling for piece mill changes to the constitution.