The Human right commission (HRC) has called for the enactment of a law that criminalizes torture in Zambia.
HRC Spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya says although the constitution under article 15 prohibits torture, there is no enabling law that defines torture and prescribes penalties.
He says in instances where suspects have wrongly been handled by law enforcers, they are merely charged with assault which has very low penalties compared to the seriousness of torture.
And Mr. Muleya says there is need to expand the bill of rights and incorporate the social, economic and cultural rights which are critical to the wellbeing of citizens.
He was speaking during a stakeholder engagement meeting on the need to amend the Bill of Rights in Chinsali, Muchinga province.
In August 2016, Zambians rejected a referendum on changes to the bill of rights in the country’s constitution which involved additional provisions on civil and political rights and new provisions on economic, social and cultural rights among others.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso
