GOVERNMENT has started pushing for the formal ratification by Zimbabwe of the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

This will result in the prosecution of people who are found guilty of using torture while investigating crimes.The convention was adopted and opened for signatures, ratification and accession by the UN General Assembly Resolution 39/46 of December 10 1984.It came into force in June 1987.

Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa said he would soon lobby Cabinet for the ratification of the Convention. He said Zimbabwe did not condone torture by law enforcement agents.

"Our laws and Constitution prohibit the commission of torture and by ratifying the Convention we want to send clear signals that the person of our citizens are inviolate," said Minister Chinamasa.

"Under no circumstance should torture be used whether physical or mental to obtain information or confession from any person against who allegations of commission of crime are made."

Minister Chinamasa said citizens' freedom of torture or any other degrading treatment is absolute.

"There are no derogations. This is a universal norm under international customary law from which they can be no derogation."

He said people who are alleged to have committed torture in Zimbabwe did not do it with the authority of their superiors."If they do so, they do it under the frolic of their own.

"They do it without the blessings or authority of their superiors. Any properly trained officer knows that you do not do unlawful things or no officer cannot be ordered or directed by their superiors to do unlawful things," he said.

He added: "It is the responsibility of the judiciary to cause the investigation of every allegation of torture by an accused appearing before them."

He said by ratifying the convention Zimbabwe was "emphasising the policy of zero tolerance against torture."

Issues covered in the convention include the prohibition of member states from extraditing a person to another state where there are dangers that they face torture.

The State would also ensure that all acts of torture are offences under criminal law and are punishable.

Countries that ratify the convention shall ensure the education and information regarding the prohibition against torture are included in training law enforcement personnel, civil or military, medical personnel and public officials among others.Interrogation rules, instructions, methods and practices would also be kept under systematic review.