“The UHRC reported that it continues to address individual cases of torture and ill-treatment, and that the Human Rights Tribunal is able to settle cases of torture by awarding compensation to victims for individual cases. The UHRC in its annual report also states that the most reported violations and the highest number of complaints from 2018 to 2023 relate to torture and the right to liberty.

The UHRC further reported that it conducts unannounced visits to places of detention. It also has engaged with different stakeholders including police, prosecutors, prison, and other law enforcement actors to promote an understanding of human rights obligations and accountability. Various advocacy activities have been undertaken including capacity building programmes and advocating for the ratification of OPCAT. The UHRC also reported that in order to reduce the backlog, it has referred cases of land ownership and of negligence to other relevant authorities.

While the SCA acknowledges the positive measures taken by the UHRC to address issues of torture and ill-treatment, the SCA is concerned that significant delays in processing of complaints and hearings in the Human Rights Tribunal persist.  Despite the high number of complaints on torture and ill treatment, the UHRC has reported only a few instances where cases were concluded, and the tribunal awarded compensation.

The UHRC annual and thematic reports do not provide substantial information on patterns of systemic violations. Considering the persistent reports of torture and violations of the right to liberty, the SCA is concerned with the information provided by the UHRC on its ability to address systemic human rights violations including torture.

The SCA recommends that the UHRC take steps to implement the full breadth of its mandate in an effective and independent manner including addressing systemic issues of torture and ill-treatment and the resolution of complaints in a timely and efficient manner.

The SCA refers to Paris Principles A.1, A.2, and A.3 and its General Observation 1.2 on ‘Human rights mandate.’”