₦airaland Forum

Framework of the Anti-torture Act 2017

The Anti-Torture Act 2017 is a very concise legislation. It has a title, explanatory memorandum and 13 sections.

Section 1 of the Act titled Duty of Government, imposes an obligation on government to ensure that all persons, including suspects, detainees and prisoners are respected at all times and that no person under investigation or held in custody is subjected to any form of physical/mental torture. It admonishes government to adhere to domestic and international standards on absolute condemnation and prohibition of torture.


Section 2 titled Acts of Torture, defines what amounts to torture. It states that (1) torture is deemed committed when an act by which pain and suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person to – (a) obtain information or confession from him or a third person; (b) punish him for an act he or a third person has committed or suspected of having committed; or (c) intimidate or coerce him or third person for any reason based on discrimination of any kind.’ It goes on to suggest Torture does not include pain or suffering in compliance with lawful sanctions. It then lists what constitutes torture, some examples in the Act include:


*Systematic beatings, head-banging, punching, kicking, striking with rifle butts and jumping on the stomach.

*Food deprivation or forcible feeding with spoiled food, animal or human excreta or other food not normally eaten,

*Electric shocks;

*Cigarette burning, burning by electric heated rods, hot oil, acid, by the rubbing of pepper or other chemical substances on mucous membranes, or acids or spices directly on the wounds;

*The submersion of head in water or water polluted with excrement, urine, vomit or blood;

*Blindfolding;

*Threatening a person or such persons related or known to him with bodily harm, execution or other wrongful acts;
Confinement in solitary cells put up in public places;

*Confinement in solitary cells against their will or without prejudice to their security;

*Prolonged interrogation to deny normal length of sleep or rest and

*Causing unscheduled transfer of a person from one place to another, creating the belief that he shall be summarily executed etc.

Section 3 titled No justification......

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/anti-torture-act-2017-issues-implication-police-officers/amp/

Are these obtainable in a country where police and soldiers see slapping people as their primary duty

ThreeEyedRaven:
Are these obtainable in a country where police and soldiers see slapping people as their primary duty

I understand but it think people still needs to know and may be someday we will get there. Imagine when someone is being brutalized and he or she is quoting Anti torture Acts 2017 for them, whether you are guilty or not they are not permitted to touch you. I know it's not easy but we can spread this info through all social media platforms.

golddare:
I understand but it think people still needs to know and may be someday we will get there. Imagine when someone is being brutalized and he or she is quoting Anti torture Acts 2017 for them, whether you are guilty or not they are not permitted to touch you. I know it's not easy but we can spread this info through all social media platforms.

Bro.. you still don't understand what we are into .. do you know how many people SARS and the police has killed because they tried to express their rights? They'll kill you and simply say you were exchanging fires with them. I have been a victim of Police brutality because I tried to express my rights. When they see a well dressed young professional they get envious as if you're the reason they're under paid or the reason for all their frustrations. Worse is when you try to speak English to them it get them very jealous due to whatever complex that motivates them. To prove they're in charge they'll do anything even if it's killing you and branding you as a notorious thief or a serial killer.. Except God intervenes in your case with them or you just give them the money they wan, you're doomed with those animals called police

ThreeEyedRaven:
Bro.. you still don't understand what we are into .. do you know how many people SARS and the police has killed because they tried to express their rights? They'll kill you and simply say you were exchanging fires with them. I have been a victim of Police brutality because I tried to express my rights. When they see a well dressed young professional they get envious as if you're the reason they're under paid or the reason for all their frustrations. Worse is when you try to speak English to them it get them very jealous due to whatever complex that motivates them. To prove they're in charge they'll do anything even if it's killing you and branding you as a notorious thief or a serial killer.. Except God intervenes in your case with them or you just give them the money they wan, you're doomed with those animals called police

Quite a pity it has come to this, ordinary man's future in the hands of law enforcement is not certain.