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: "Can We end Torture? " International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2023. 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. Let's strengthen our efforts to prevent all kind of acts of torture. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Torture, #26june, #AgainstTorture, #TorturevictimsDay.
EVENTS: 36th anniversary of the entry in force of the United Nations Convention against torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 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 36 anniversary of the convention on torture and the International Day in support for the Victims of torture 2023 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.
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: 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.