Zimbabwe this year commemorated the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture amid rising tensions due to alleged kidnapping of opposition members and human rights defenders in the country.
On 12 December 1997, by resolution 52/149, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Meanwhile, a United Nations human team of rights experts that visited Zimbabwe recently concluded that the three MDC Alliance officials – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova had been tortured and subjected to degrading treatment.
This was contrary to reports by some government officials who said the alleged abduction and torture had been choreographed to soil the government’s image.
The trio was arrested on 13 May in Warren Park for violating COVID-19 lockdown regulations after they initiated and participated in a flash hunger protest.
The three were reportedly abducted from police custody and subjected to inhumane treated for 24 hours only to be found dumped outside Harare.
They are part of a large group that has been kidnapped and tortured by suspected state security agents since last year.
More: The Zimbabwean