PURPOSE: The aim of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture observed every year on 26 June, is to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors of torture throughout the world.The legal profession plays a vital role in preventing torture and ill-treatment, including in identifying, challenging, and excluding torture-tainted evidence. The exclusionary rule, which prohibits such evidence from being invoked as evidence in any proceedings, is clearly enshrined in international law, standards, and norms. Despite this, a gap in national implementation remains and routine reliance on torture-tainted evidence persists in many countries around the world.
FORUM: "40 Years of Commitments: Upholding Dignity, Eradicating Torture." International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2024. Nearly four decades on from the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Torture, there is evidence that it is still taking place in all regions of the world, even though it’s a recognized international crime. Listen to independent human rights experts Claude Heller and Suzanne Jabour – the chairpersons of the United Nations Committee against Torture, and the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture – as they attempt to convince countries to end the practice. Accountability and justice for torture victims central to commemorations for Convention against Torture: UN anti-torture mechanisms. Yet, despite these formidable advances, the promise of the international prohibition of torture has yet to be fulfilled, as many regulatory and practical obstacles and impediments continue to hamper effective investigations into the crime of torture.Let's strengthen our efforts to prevent all kind of acts of torture. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Torture, #26june, #AgainstTorture, #TorturevictimsDay.
On June 26th, the OHCHR, the United Nations Committee against torture, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other degraded treatments invite you join the Panel discussion to mark the 40th anniversary of the convention on torture and the International Day in support for the Victims of torture 2024 will be held at UNHQ in New York and Geneva. The stakeholders including United Nations Member States, civil society organizations, Non-Governmental organizations and individuals everywhere are invited to participate. As we mark the 40th anniversary of the Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and we get closer to its universal ratification, the UN anti-torture mechanisms jointly urge States which have not ratified the Convention to do so, and firmly call upon States parties to live up to their international obligations, recommitting to their pledge of a world free of torture.
From 25 to 26 June 2024; A Roundtable and art competition on the United Nations International Day in Support of Torture Victims will be held.
On 25 June 2024 entitled “Torture Must End Now” – Guided Exhibition Tour was organized.
From 17 to 29 April 2024; was held a Workshop series on CAT and OPCAT reporting and implementation in Central African Republic.
On 27 March 2024; A Dialogue on Good practices in preventing torture: OPCAT Special Fund as a strategic implementation tool was held.
On 19 MARCH 2024, was held a panel discussion on Healing scars in the mind: Mental health services for torture survivors.
STATEMENTS: “For more than forty years, grantees of the Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture have been supporting strategic litigation as a tool to fight impunity, creating precedents and helping to achieve justice and effective reparation for a wide circle of victims, and ensuring that their voices are heard”, noted Vladimir Jovic, Chair of the Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. Read the Joint statement of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and the OPCAT Special Fund for Torture Prevention, the UN Committee against Torture, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture in commemoration of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2024; June 26th. English | Français | Español
PUBLICATIONS: Compilation of Torture Laws (Association for the Prevention of Torture): National laws (118 countries) relevant to the implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) Explore the Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture for some countries.
Guide on anti-torture legislation. In each chapter, several elements that legislation should contain are listed. Argumentation on why those elements are needed is given after each element. When available, examples from various countries are given, to illustrate how States have legislated on those elements in their national legislation. The examples given are not exhaustive but are rather positive illustrations of national practice. Efforts were made to gather examples from countries in different regions, from different legal traditions and from countries with different languages. Direct quotes from articles are inserted whenever an official English translation exists. If this is not the case, the content of the legislation is summarised and links to the legislation in its original version are given in footnotes. After each chapter, a summary of all elements is given, clearly mentioning if the element is a primary element, a recommended element or an optional one.
PODCATS: "How holistic treatment can heal the wounds and facilitate justice and prevention."The Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991 - Imposes civil liability on anyone who, under actual or apparent authority or under color of law of any foreign nation, subjects any individual to torture or extrajudicial killing. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
Campaign Materials: "40 Years of Commitments: Upholding Dignity, Eradicating Torture.". Participate to the 2024 Campaign; Together we can ensure life changing services reach torture survivors. Let’s make more effective the struggle against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment throughout the world. Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
The UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted in 1984, was a landmark event in the global fight against torture and other forms of ill-treatment and has broad-based State support, with 162 State Parties. The Convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture in any territory under their jurisdiction, to provide remedies and rehabilitation for victims of torture and ill-treatment, and forbids states to transport people to any country where there is reason to believe they will be tortured. The Convention underlines a fundamental principle that torture is never, under any circumstances, justified. In addition to the Convention, other relevant provisions of international law are applicable – such as Articles 7, 9, 10 and 14 of the ICCPR, and the United Nations Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, and the revised Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).
ACTIONS
The Committee against Torture works to hold States accountable for human rights violations, systematically investigating reports of torture in order to stop and prevent this crime. The CAT also assist States to meet their fundamental legal obligations to prevent torture and ill-treatment.
Establish measures to stop acts of torture in any territory. No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture.
Respect and protect the inherent dignity and physical and mental integrity of all persons – including suspects, witnesses, and victims – during questioning.
Implement human rights-based standards and guidelines for investigations and non-coercive interviewing practices.
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture is co-hosted by the United Nations Police ;The United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT);The Alliance for Torture-Free Trade; The Special Rapporteur on Torture, The United Nations Human Rights Council; The Convention against Torture Alliance (cti2024); The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations; The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT); The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT); The Freedom from Torture; The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT); The Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch.