Campaign Against Torture
The Campaign Against Torture (CAT) is a core program of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR), dedicated to addressing the medical and human rights impacts of torture.
ZADHR was established in 2002 in response to the rising incidents of organized violence and torture targeting civilians in Zimbabwe. Recognizing the lack of an adequate response from existing medical associations, ZADHR took a stand to advocate for victims, document cases, and push for accountability and justice. Through this program, we continue to empower healthcare professionals to play a crucial role in exposing and combating torture.
Campaign Against Torture
Torture remains one of the most severe violations of human rights, leaving victims with long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological harm. The Campaign Against Torture (CAT) program by the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) is dedicated to exposing acts of torture, supporting survivors, and advocating for policies that prevent torture and hold perpetrators accountable.
The Global Context & Zimbabwe’s Reality
In 1985, the United Nations adopted the Declaration Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which led to the establishment of the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The Convention defines torture as:
“… Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity”.
While more than 76 countries have ratified the Convention, Zimbabwe has not yet ratified or domesticated it, leaving room for impunity in cases of Organized Violence and Torture (OVT).
ZADHR believes torture must never be normalized, and through this program, we seek to expose, document, and advocate for an end to impunity, justice for victims, and comprehensive support for survivors.
Overall Goal of the Programme:
An end to organised violence and torture (OVT) in Zimbabwe
Programme Purpose:
- Expose torture when it occurs, thereby contributing to ending impunity and preventing torture;
- Provide post-trauma support to victims of OVT
- Encourage and equip health professionals with the capacity to manage victims of OVT;
- Undertake advocacy work around OVT
- Lobby for ratification of CAT by the Government of Zimbabwe
Our Work
Other Programmes
The Campaign Against Torture (CAT) is one of the 5 programmes we implement, take look at the other ones…
HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION
aimed at enhancing the knowledge and awareness on the right to health and accountability for health rights
HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS
Rights- based approaches promote the preservation of the dignity and removal of discrimination against vulnerable persons and communities.
HEALTH POLICY AND HEALTH SYSTEMS
The programme is aimed at engaging lawmakers on issues to do with policy in the health sector
RIGHT TO HEALTH ACCOUNTABILITY
The chief goal of this program is to build accountability and transparency in the progression of the right to health in Zimbabwe.
Report Case/s of Human Rights Violation
Do you know someone who has been tortured for political and other reasons and needs medical attention? We will be glad to help them, fill in this form and we will be in touch.