Enact torture law before 2011, govt told
Jun 22, 2009
Civil society organisations have asked the Government to enact a law criminalising torture before the 2011 general elections.
By Josephine Maseruka
Civil society organisations have asked the Government to enact a law criminalising torture before the 2011 general elections.
“We call upon the Government to affirm its commitment to eliminate torture in Uganda by enacting the prevention of torture Bill into law,†the Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson, Meddie Kaggwa, told a press conference in Kampala.
The event was jointly organised by the Coalition Against Torture to highlight the week-long activities to mark this year’s UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture slated for Friday.
Kaggwa said reported torture cases increased from 21 since 1995 to 622 in 2004 due to increased awareness.
He added that there was a decline of 200 cases in 2005 due to public awareness programmes.
Citing the Penal Code which only covers causing bodily harm and assault, Kaggwa noted that the current laws on torture are inadequate. He said although torture is covered in the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002, it only applies to authorised officers.
The African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims chief, Samuel Nsubuga, said they conducted a study in 2007 which showed that torture cases are common during elections.
“We appeal to the Government to include laws that will entrench democratic principles and win the trust of the electorate to participate in the coming polls without fear.â€
The rights groups have drafted a Bill against torture, which calls for the maximum death penalty.
Alternative punishments include 17 years imprisonment or a fine of sh26m (or both.
The Bill seeks to define and penalise torture or punish perpetrators of the crime. If the law is passed, individual charged with torture and not the Attorney General, will be required to pay for the damages.
The Attorney General’s office owes over sh1.9b to victims of abuses, the majority of whom were tortured by security officials.
Civil society organisations have asked the Government to enact a law criminalising torture before the 2011 general elections.
“We call upon the Government to affirm its commitment to eliminate torture in Uganda by enacting the prevention of torture Bill into law,†the Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson, Meddie Kaggwa, told a press conference in Kampala.
The event was jointly organised by the Coalition Against Torture to highlight the week-long activities to mark this year’s UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture slated for Friday.
Kaggwa said reported torture cases increased from 21 since 1995 to 622 in 2004 due to increased awareness.
He added that there was a decline of 200 cases in 2005 due to public awareness programmes.
Citing the Penal Code which only covers causing bodily harm and assault, Kaggwa noted that the current laws on torture are inadequate. He said although torture is covered in the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002, it only applies to authorised officers.
The African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims chief, Samuel Nsubuga, said they conducted a study in 2007 which showed that torture cases are common during elections.
“We appeal to the Government to include laws that will entrench democratic principles and win the trust of the electorate to participate in the coming polls without fear.â€
The rights groups have drafted a Bill against torture, which calls for the maximum death penalty.
Alternative punishments include 17 years imprisonment or a fine of sh26m (or both.
The Bill seeks to define and penalise torture or punish perpetrators of the crime. If the law is passed, individual charged with torture and not the Attorney General, will be required to pay for the damages.
The Attorney General’s office owes over sh1.9b to victims of abuses, the majority of whom were tortured by security officials.