The 26th June marks the annual commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1997 with the aim of supporting efforts to eliminate torture and promoting the application of the International Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or punishment.
The classic notion of torture is that it is a gross physical invasion of the body with the aim to instil terror and effectively break the will of whoever is tortured. The constitution of the Republic of South Africa says that everyone has the right to freedom and security of the person which includes the right to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources; the right not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhumane, or degrading way; and the right to bodily and psychological integrity. And the South African Government ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment in 1998.
Whilst this is the case, torture is still prevalent in South African society in both vertical and horizontal manner, that is, from some state officials to civil society, and amongst civil society itself. The state is still grappling with police brutality, the inhumane of migrants and on the other hand civil society is grappling with viligilantism which is often accompanied by torture, the brutal treatment of farm workers by some farmers; and the rampant domestic violence. Whilst it is commendable that the South African Government ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment there needs to be national legislation to ensure that those responsible for torture are dealt with decisively. There is also a need to invest more on training and awareness programmes on this issue.
Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission, Johannesburg
Date: 26th June 2001
For more information contact: Phumla Mthala (Media Liaison for SAHRC)
Tel: (011) 484-8300/ 0832883339
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