Police told to use modern equipment
Sep 09, 2011
SECURITY agencies have been urged to embrace forensic methods of interrogating suspects.The move is aimed at avoiding the use of torture.
By Steven Candia
SECURITY agencies have been urged to embrace forensic methods of interrogating suspects.The move is aimed at avoiding the use of torture.
The executive director of the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, Samuel Nsubuga, said there were alternative ways of interrogation other than torture.
Nsubuga urged security agencies to embrace forensic science to reduce incidents of torture.
He made the remarks at the opening of a one-day training workshop for operatives of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) at Sports View Hotel in Kireka.
The training was aimed at sensitising security operatives on what torture is, types of torture and human rights.
It also brought the operatives up to speed on the provisions of the Anti-Torture Bill.
Nsubuga appealed to the Government to increase the Police’s budget so as to enable the institution adopt forensic science in its investigations.
He expressed optimism that once the Bill was passed into law, it would curb incidents of torture.
The Bill, which has been in parliament for five years, imposes individual liability on any person or officer who perpetrates torture.
The police have always been accused of torture by himan rights groups.
The Uganda human rights commission in its 2010 report noted that torture, inhuman and degrading punishment topped complaints to the commission.
In the report, 36% of the complaints were against the Police, 6% were against RRU, followed by private individuals and the UPDF.
SECURITY agencies have been urged to embrace forensic methods of interrogating suspects.The move is aimed at avoiding the use of torture.
The executive director of the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, Samuel Nsubuga, said there were alternative ways of interrogation other than torture.
Nsubuga urged security agencies to embrace forensic science to reduce incidents of torture.
He made the remarks at the opening of a one-day training workshop for operatives of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) at Sports View Hotel in Kireka.
The training was aimed at sensitising security operatives on what torture is, types of torture and human rights.
It also brought the operatives up to speed on the provisions of the Anti-Torture Bill.
Nsubuga appealed to the Government to increase the Police’s budget so as to enable the institution adopt forensic science in its investigations.
He expressed optimism that once the Bill was passed into law, it would curb incidents of torture.
The Bill, which has been in parliament for five years, imposes individual liability on any person or officer who perpetrates torture.
The police have always been accused of torture by himan rights groups.
The Uganda human rights commission in its 2010 report noted that torture, inhuman and degrading punishment topped complaints to the commission.
In the report, 36% of the complaints were against the Police, 6% were against RRU, followed by private individuals and the UPDF.