HARARE – The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) says it has recorded 63 cases of state-sponsored torture on victims between 2019 and May this year with authorities often reluctant to bring perpetrators to book.
Speaking to journalists in Harare on Wednesday while commemorating the 27th anniversary of the International Day in support of victims of torture, ZPP national director Pelagia Kapuya said it was disheartening that perpetrators of torture have not been accounted for.
“Between 2019 and May 2024, ZPP recorded a total of 63 cases in which victims were tortured.
“If we go back to earlier periods, the numbers are much higher (811 between 2008 and 2018) with the highest number of 452 violations being recorded in 2008.
“In 2023 alone, we recorded 15 incidents of abduction, where most victims were tortured; some lost their lives and some still living with psychological effects of torture.
“Sadly, in most incidents, the perpetrators have not been held accountable and this is why we as the citizens of Zimbabwe, together with you the media must fight to end impunity, fight for the promotion of all human rights and foster sustainable peace in Zimbabwe, which is our vision as ZPP,” she said.
ZPP is a local NGO that documents cases of politically motivated violations in the country.
The country’s security apparatus and Zanu PF activists have often featured in ZPP’s reports as the main perpetrators of violations mostly on opposition members.
The government has often derisively dismissed claims of violations but has failed to counter the allegations with facts. In the few cases it has acknowledged the incidents, little to no action has been taken against perpetrators.
The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is held annually on 26 June to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors throughout the world.
The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which is held on 26 June every year.
Kapuya however urged the government to ratify and domesticate the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
“As we commemorate this day, ZPP would like to encourage the government of Zimbabwe to sign, ratify and domesticate the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Zimbabwe and Tanzania are the only countries in SADC which have neither signed nor ratified the CAT.
“Signing, ratifying and domesticating CAT is particularly important for Zimbabwe as there currently is no legal instrument to criminalize torture as provided for in section 53 of the Constitution, which speaks to freedom from torture,” she said.
