Zimbabwe urged not to use torture investigative method

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has expressed grave concern over ongoing allegations of torture by law enforcement agencies and private individuals, calling for the adoption of professional investigative methods and an end to inhumane practices.

In a statement released Friday to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (June 26), the ZHRC said the alleged acts — reportedly used to intimidate, punish, or extract confessions from suspects and human rights activists — constitute clear violations of Zimbabwe's constitutional and international human rights obligations.

"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," read the statement.

The Commission also condemned the use of torture in private settings, particularly in instances of domestic violence involving children and adults.

The annual observance of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture commemorates 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 recognised by the UN General Assembly in 1997 through Resolution 52/149.

Zimbabwe has made notable progress in human rights reform, most recently by abolishing the death penalty — a move the ZHRC welcomed as a significant step in protecting offenders from "extreme forms of mental and physical torture."

However, the Commission lamented that Zimbabwe remains one of only two African countries, along with Tanzania, that have not signed or ratified UNCAT and its Optional Protocol, despite clear constitutional prohibitions against torture.

"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," said the ZHRC.

The Commission also urged government authorities to ratify the UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, another key instrument aimed at curbing state-sanctioned abuses.

The ZHRC called for enhanced training and accountability mechanisms within law enforcement agencies and reiterated its commitment to monitoring and reporting torture-related violations across the country.

As Zimbabwe navigates its human rights reform agenda, the ZHRC's latest call places increased pressure on authorities to align national practices with international legal norms and ensure that torture is eradicated from all sectors of society.