Human rights stakeholders sensitized on anti-torture issues!!

• 30 November 2015
• By @nkupamah .com

 

 The Chairman of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Hon. Bahame Nyanduga talking to the participants (not in picture) during the opening remarks for the sensitization seminar on anti-torture issues held at the CHRAGG premises in Dar es Salaam on November 30, 2015. (Left) is the Vice Chairman of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Hon. Iddi  Ramadhan Mapuri and (Right) is the Coordinator of DIGNITY – Danish Institute against Torture, Ms. Brenda van den Bergh.

By.@nkupamah.com

About 50 human rights stakeholders from various institutions, including representatives from the government and civil society organizations have been sensitized on anti-torture issues in a one-day seminar held today (November 30, 2015) in Dar es Salaam City.

Opening the seminar organized jointly by the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) and Danish Institute against Torture (DIGNITY), the Commission’s Chairperson, Hon. Bahame Tom Nyanduga said that the sensitization seminar on anti-torture issues is instrumental in articulating relevant issues for advocating for prohibition of torture in the country.

He also said that the seminar entails putting in place an advocacy strategy aimed at sensitizing the government, public and private actors and the community at large in understanding the regional and international human rights standards on prohibition of torture and other inhuman punishments.

Further, Hon. Nyanduga noted that the government of Tanzania has made some efforts towards addressing issues of torture in the country. Foremost, torture and inhuman acts are prohibited in the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. Besides, the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) addresses torture issues.

Some main activities regarding issues of torture in the five-year NHRAP (2013 – 2017) according to Hon. Chairperson, include: reviewing the Police General Orders and Prison Standing Orders; and ratifying and domesticating the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

However, Hon. Nyanduga pointed out that for quite a long time in Tanzania there have been allegations of torture by law enforcers. At the same time, investigation of alleged acts of torture is still very challenging for a number of reasons.

One of the main reasons, he said, is the fact that Tanzania has not signed the Convention against Torture.

Thus, he expects that experts from Dignity will share with them some insight on their experience in addressing some of these challenges.

“I believe that this forum is not about pointing fingers at each other but it is just an opportunity  for us all to think about better ways to effectively address issues related to torture in Tanzania” Nyanduga added.

 The Coordinator of DIGNITY- Danish Institute against Torture, Ms. Brenda van den Bergh appreciated the efforts made by Tanzania in prohibiting torture in the national law.

“In Tanzania, torture is explicitly prohibited in the national law and we appreciate very much the efforts of Tanzanian authorities and several institutions to fight torture and other forms of ill-treatment. That is why during this seminar we would like to discuss together with you all in more details several aspects of torture including physical and psychological effects of torture, documentation of cases of torture and rehabilitation of victims of torture”, Ms Brenda said.

DIGNITY – Danish Institute against Torture is a non-governmental organization based in Copenhagen, Denmark working both in Denmark and countries worldwide since 1982.

 Legal Advisor – DIGNITY, Ms. Ilvija Puce presenting the topic on the introduction to the UN Convention against Torture during the sensitization seminar on anti-torture issues held at the CHRAGG premises in Dar es Salaam on November 30, 2015.
The Coordinator of DIGNITY – Danish Institute against Torture, Ms. Brenda van den Bergh stresses a point during the opening remarks for the sensitization seminar on anti-torture issues held at the CHRAGG premises in Dar es Salaam on November 30, 2015. (Left) is the Chairman of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Hon. Bahame Nyanduga and (Right) is the Executive Secretary of CHRAGG, Mrs. Mary Massay.

 The Chairman of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Hon. Bahame Nyanduga talking to the participants (not in picture) during the opening remarks for the sensitization seminar on anti-torture issues held at the CHRAGG premises in Dar es Salaam on November 30, 2015. (Left) is the Vice Chairman of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Hon. Iddi  Ramadhan Mapuri and (Right) is the Coordinator of DIGNITY – Danish Institute against Torture, Ms. Brenda van den Bergh.

Human rights stakeholders  in the sensitization seminar on anti-torture issues held at the CHRAGG premises in Dar es Salaam on November 30, 2015.

CHRAGG Commissioner, Hon. Mohamed Khamis, presenting the topic on the Current situation of torture in Tanzania during the sensitization seminar on anti-torture issues held at the CHRAGG premises in Dar es Salaam on November 30, 2015.

Human rights stakeholders pose in a group photo during the sensitization seminar on anti-torture issues held at the CHRAGG premises in Dar es Salaam on November 30, 2015.