Every year on June 26, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is marked. The day is observed to come in support of people who have been tortured or abused. The emphasis of the day is to understand that torture is not acceptable and is also a despicable crime that is unjustified in any circumstance not even as a measure of last resort. All acts of torture should be effectively prosecuted to prevent such acts from occurring again. We should continue to remember and condemn the degrading and destructive impact of torture, showing support for its victims worldwide.
The day was declared by the United Nations in 1997. The proposal of the day was made in Denmark which is also home to world-famous International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).
The day June 26 was selected to mark this day for two reasons. One was that on June 26, 1945, the United Nations Charter was signed amid World War II, the first international instrument obliging UN members to respect and promote the human rights and the other reason was that on June 26 in 1897, the United Nations Convention against torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment came into force.
The first event was launched in 1998 and since then more than 100 organization in several countries over the world mark this event and celebrate the campaign. Various rehabilitation centers and human rights organisations around the world celebrate the UN's International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June every year. Events on this day give a chance to unite and raise voice against torture. Several organisations like the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims and Amnesty International have played an active role in organising events around the world to promote and make people aware about this day. Various activities like photo exhibitions, distribution of posters and other material to boost people's awareness related to human torture etc. are organised.
According to Human Rights Law torture is defined as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person in which a public official is directly or indirectly involved for a specific reason. Torturers are seen as the ‘enemy of all mankind'. It is considered so barbaric and incompatible with civilised society that it cannot be tolerated.
Torture seeks to annihiliate the victim's personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. Torture and ill-treatment are forbidden by both international law and law here in the UK. There are no circumstances whatsoever in which torture and ill-treatment can be justified, including in conflict, for counter-terrorism purposes or other threats of crime, or other religious or traditional justification.Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.The UN Convention Against Torture requires countries to take active steps to prevent torture and says “no exceptional circumstances whatsoever … may be invoked as a justification of torture”.In the UK, the Human Rights Act means we can raise the European Convention on Human rights (ECHR) in our courts. Article 3 ECHR says no one should ever be tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way, no matter what the situation. Torture means any act by which severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on someone for the purposes of obtaining information, for punishment or intimidation. Treatment or punishment is degrading if it humiliates and debases a person beyond accepted forms of punishment.
Despite the absolute prohibition of torture under international law, torture persists in all regions of the world. Concerns about protecting national security and borders are increasing used to allow torture and other forms of cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment. It's pervasive consequences often go beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be transmitted through generations and lead to cycles of violence. Lets not forget the victims of torture who are routinely being held in immigration detention centres in breach of the government’s own rules.
Torture can ruin the mental health of a person and it requires a special kind of help at times. There have been rehab centers in support of victims to help them get over the traumatic experiences.The UN Voluntary Fund for victims of torture which is administrated by the UN Human Rights office in Geneva is a unique victim-focused mechanism that accepts funding for the assistance to victims of torture and their families.
The European Union reiterated its strongest opposition to any kind of acts of torture worldwide, in its declaration, saying: “Through its external action, the EU and its Member States also engage with third countries in regular political and human rights dialogues and financially support civil society organisations in fighting torture.” Also in the last four years, the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights supported anti-torture projects worldwide worth €23 million, and an additional amount of €8 million is foreseen for 2019.
The first event was launched in 1998 and since then more than 100 organization in several countries over the world mark this event and celebrate the campaign. Various rehabilitation centers and human rights organisations around the world celebrate the UN's International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June every year. Events on this day give a chance to unite and raise voice against torture. Several organisations like the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims and Amnesty International have played an active role in organising events around the world to promote and make people aware about this day. Various activities like photo exhibitions, distribution of posters and other material to boost people's awareness related to human torture etc. are organised.
According to Human Rights Law torture is defined as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person in which a public official is directly or indirectly involved for a specific reason. Torturers are seen as the ‘enemy of all mankind'. It is considered so barbaric and incompatible with civilised society that it cannot be tolerated.
Torture seeks to annihiliate the victim's personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. Torture and ill-treatment are forbidden by both international law and law here in the UK. There are no circumstances whatsoever in which torture and ill-treatment can be justified, including in conflict, for counter-terrorism purposes or other threats of crime, or other religious or traditional justification.Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.The UN Convention Against Torture requires countries to take active steps to prevent torture and says “no exceptional circumstances whatsoever … may be invoked as a justification of torture”.In the UK, the Human Rights Act means we can raise the European Convention on Human rights (ECHR) in our courts. Article 3 ECHR says no one should ever be tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way, no matter what the situation. Torture means any act by which severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on someone for the purposes of obtaining information, for punishment or intimidation. Treatment or punishment is degrading if it humiliates and debases a person beyond accepted forms of punishment.
Despite the absolute prohibition of torture under international law, torture persists in all regions of the world. Concerns about protecting national security and borders are increasing used to allow torture and other forms of cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment. It's pervasive consequences often go beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be transmitted through generations and lead to cycles of violence. Lets not forget the victims of torture who are routinely being held in immigration detention centres in breach of the government’s own rules.
Torture can ruin the mental health of a person and it requires a special kind of help at times. There have been rehab centers in support of victims to help them get over the traumatic experiences.The UN Voluntary Fund for victims of torture which is administrated by the UN Human Rights office in Geneva is a unique victim-focused mechanism that accepts funding for the assistance to victims of torture and their families.
The European Union reiterated its strongest opposition to any kind of acts of torture worldwide, in its declaration, saying: “Through its external action, the EU and its Member States also engage with third countries in regular political and human rights dialogues and financially support civil society organisations in fighting torture.” Also in the last four years, the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights supported anti-torture projects worldwide worth €23 million, and an additional amount of €8 million is foreseen for 2019.
We are witnessing a global crisis on torture. Yet you only have to glance at the news to know that laws alone are not enough. Torture is thriving because rather than respecting the law, many governments are either actively using torture or turning a blind eye. According to Nils Melzer, UN's special rappoeteur on torture, Julian Assange is showing all the symptoms associated with prolonged exposure to psychological torture. Torture is as alive as ever, with documented cases of torture techniques such as electroshock, waterboarding and rape. It is happening across the world, in dark prison cells, secret detention cells and in broad daylight. Most of those responsible never face justice.
On this important day let's acknowledge the wrongs committed against torture victims over the years and reaffirm the self-worth of victims of torture as human beings and equal participants in civic life entitled to the full enjoyment of all rights. Stand in solidarity with the men and women who survived the horrendous acts of torture who are beacons of hope, who hae endured the unimaginable and are living testimonies of the resilience of the human spirit. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, I urge all States to end impunity for perpetrators and eradicate these reprehensible acts that defy our common humanity. ”https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2019-06-26/secretary-generals-message-international-day-support-of-victims-of-torture
On this important day let's acknowledge the wrongs committed against torture victims over the years and reaffirm the self-worth of victims of torture as human beings and equal participants in civic life entitled to the full enjoyment of all rights. Stand in solidarity with the men and women who survived the horrendous acts of torture who are beacons of hope, who hae endured the unimaginable and are living testimonies of the resilience of the human spirit. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, I urge all States to end impunity for perpetrators and eradicate these reprehensible acts that defy our common humanity. ”https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2019-06-26/secretary-generals-message-international-day-support-of-victims-of-torture
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