Human Rights are under attack every day in countries in southern and eastern Africa. Under pressure to deal harshly with rising levels of crime or through political manipulation, police inflict torture and ill-treat criminal suspects and political activists. Excessive or unjustified lethal force is used to surpress peaceful protest. Government opponents are arbitrarily detained. Despite endeavours by some governments to raise standards of policing, others flagrantly misuse the police to hold on to power.In many countries officials and officers responsible for abuses are accountable to no one. At the same time law enforcement agencies are often denied necessary personnel, basic equipment and training and face risks to their own lives. Yet providing police with professional skills, appropriate equipment and adequate resources are among the most effective ways to tackle crime and respond to the needs of victims.
Recommendations to governments and structures of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) encourage them to implement and promote measures to develop policing services that are lawful, impartial, humane and that can deal effectively with the legitimate demands of communities for safety and security. The international community has a role to play in the SADC region, which has suffered years of armed and civil conflict and pressures on its economic resources, by increasing its efforts to assist this transformation process.
- ISBN10 0862103169
- ISBN13 9780862103163
- Publish Date 9 July 2002
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Amnesty International UK
- Format Paperback
- Pages 108
- Language English