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United Nations International Day in support of victims of torture
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
June 26, 2010

"Torture: the intentional infliction of severe mental or physical pain or suffering... is a violation of the most basic of all human rights." Robert Alan

"This is a day on which we pay our respects to those who have endured the unimaginable. This is an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable. It is long overdue that a day be dedicated to remembering and supporting the many victims and survivors of torture around the world." Kofi Annan

Torture is one of the most profound human rights abuses, taking a terrible toll on millions of individuals and their families worldwide. Heal Zimbabwe salutes survivors of state instigated torture in Zimbabwe who have survived atrocious pain and suffering silently over the years. The victims have suffered unimaginably in silence for a long time. Heal Zimbabwe dedicates the day to those who have been directly or indirectly affected by violence. Victims of torture have often been neglected with many Governments pretending as if nothing happened. Little has been done by the Government to try and redress effects of torture. Hundreds of victims of political violence are still displaced and a lot has to be done to restitute them. It is Government's responsibility to create conditions which guarantee security of all persons and prevent revictimisation.

For national healing to be effective and appropriate, the process should be initiated and owned by the victims themselves. Prescribed methods on national healing process can be disastrous considering that the majority of the perpetrators are people who are known to the community. The national healing process should be an all inclusive process. The process should start at the family level to allow family consolidation then proceed to village/ward level going upwards in order to promote harmony and peaceful coexistence in communities. The nation should inculcate a culture of tolerance and efforts should be made to make sure there is a redress of past atrocities to avoid recurrence in the future.

Article 2(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) stresses the importance of an "effective remedy" for persons who allege that their rights have been violated. Victims of political violence should have access to justice, compensation and rehabilitation for harm suffered. Even in times of transition, the state has an obligation to provide remedies to victims but in the Zimbabwean context, the state is faced with a daunting task of trying to resuscitate a failing economy coupled with a weak, inefficient and congested legal system, competing demands for scarce resources and huge numbers of victims with different situations and demands.

Heal Zimbabwe will contribute to a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe where:

• There is increased understanding, awareness, education and research regarding the impact of political violence on the local communities in Zimbabwe.
• Social and justice services do not directly or indirectly condone intolerance of diversity of opinions and political pluralism.
• The interests of victims and others affected by violence are fully represented.
• There are positive initiatives to rebuild community cohesion through community initiated peace-building projects and programs.

The life and well being of every Zimbabwean is our collective responsibility. The pain endured during Zimbabwe's liberation war should be enough to free current and future generations from torture.

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