experiences and perspectives
ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
CPTA Newsletter – 2025
Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa,
Banjul, The Gambia
Message from the Chairperson of the CPTA
Dear readers,
The 2025 edition of this Newsletter examines national legislation on the prevention of torture from the perspective of its effectiveness. Our annual theme, 'National legislation to prevent torture: experiences and perspectives', calls upon us to move beyond the mere analysis of normative provisions to examine their practical implementation: which mechanisms produce tangible results, what obstacles persist, and what the real impact on persons deprived of their liberty is.
The contributions featured in this issue come from field actors: legal practitioners, national human rights institutions, national preventive mechanisms, civil society organizations, and researchers. They have documented their practices, analysed systemic obstacles, and provided concrete recommendations. These contributions provide valuable insights into the challenges of legislative transposition: autonomous criminalization of torture, inadmissibility of evidence obtained under coercion, effective independence of monitoring bodies, access to remedies, and modalities of reparation.
Our 2024 edition focused on education and training on anti-torture norms. A law can only be effective when it is fully understood by those responsible for its application. This year, the contributors demonstrate how to bridge the gap between legislative adoption and changes in practice.
Our commitment remains: that each Member State equips itself with a robust legislative framework and ensures its implementation, supported by institutions endowed with real capacity and adequate resources. No State yields to the temptation to derogate from it in the name of security emergencies or political transitions. The absolute prohibition of torture allows for no exceptions.
The analyses and case studies presented here outline a programme of action: filling regulatory gaps, strengthening the autonomy and resources of oversight institutions, and ensuring reparations that are responsive to the needs of victims.
May this issue serve as a working tool for legislators, magistrates, security officials, national institutions, and civil society actors. Preventing torture requires a clear legal framework, accompanied by rigorous monitoring of its implementation.
I would like to thank all contributors for the quality of their work.
The Chairperson of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa (CPTA)
Summary of articles:
- Author TUNMAPS The Uganda National Medical Alliance for Prisoners' Support.
- Winona Xu, Guest Lecturer, University of California, Los Angeles -- Fielding School of Public Health
- Alemneh Desalegn, Ashagire
- Bilhah Ikani Omulama
- Nyachangkuoth Tai- Independent Researcher, Gender and Peacebuilding Expert
- Kenya National Commission on Human Rights
- Sylvie MANKENTSOP, Magistrat, Ministère de la Justice, Cameroun
- Umulkuruthum Oyiza Dauda [Legend Golden Care Foundation]
- Nqobani Nyathi, Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
- Misheck Jere, Reprieve
- Strengthening Legal Pathways for Health Linkage, Referral, and Retention in Care for Survivors of Torture in Uganda. By : TUNMAPS The Uganda National Medical Alliance for Prisoners' Support. Solomon Musiitwa
Introduction: