Nearly a dozen Zimbabwean human rights groups are urging the country's unity government to enact legislation that would make torture an unpardonable criminal offence.

They are also urging the government to include language in the new constitution that would ensure perpetrators of torture could be brought to book without political protection.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association and other organizations said the so-called inclusive government comprising the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change and the long-ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front should subscribe to the United Nations charter against torture.

Zimbabwe Human Rights Association National Director Okay Machisa told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that such a constitutional provision combined with enabling legislation are needed as some in the judiciary are politically influenced.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...