International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June

The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, on the 26th of June, gives us the opportunity to stand united and remind the world that torture is a cruel violation of human rights.

Rehabilitation was the theme for the 26 June 2012 campaign. Rehabilitation empowers torture victims to resume as full a life as possible. However, rebuilding the life of someone whose dignity has been destroyed takes time and is the result of long-term material, medical, psychological and social support.

In his message for the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, observed on 26 June, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that every day, women, men and children are tortured or ill-treated with the intention of destroying their sense of dignity and human worth.

“In some cases, this is part of a deliberate state policy of instilling fear and intimidating its population,” he said.

“In too many countries, people’s legitimate demands for freedom and human rights are met with brutal repression. Even when regimes change, torture often persists and a culture of impunity remains.”

He noted the obligation of States not only to prevent torture but to provide all torture victims with effective and prompt redress, compensation and appropriate social, psychological, medical and other forms of rehabilitation.

Useful links:

• UN Website
• International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)  
• Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) - excellent list of resources