Every day in countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Human Rights are under attack from the police. Excessive or unjustified lethal force is used to suppress peaceful protest and government opponents are arbitrarily detained.
In a report - Policing to Protect Human Rights - released today, Amnesty International describes how police inflict torture and ill-treat criminal suspects and political activists in the majority of the countries surveyed.
"States which tolerate such acts are not helping to reduce crime or to find fair solutions to political problems," the organization said. "Instead, they gravely undermine the professionalism of the police and fail in their duty to protect victims of crime and prevent Human Rights violations."
However, the report also notes that the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organization (SARPCCO), is taking the lead in promoting professional and effective policing through training in ethical and Human Rights standards.
In a report - Policing to Protect Human Rights - released today, Amnesty International describes how police inflict torture and ill-treat criminal suspects and political activists in the majority of the countries surveyed.
"States which tolerate such acts are not helping to reduce crime or to find fair solutions to political problems," the organization said. "Instead, they gravely undermine the professionalism of the police and fail in their duty to protect victims of crime and prevent Human Rights violations."
However, the report also notes that the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organization (SARPCCO), is taking the lead in promoting professional and effective policing through training in ethical and Human Rights standards.