INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF TORTURE VICTIMS TO BE OBSERVED ON 26 JUNE
Press Release
HR/4423
OBV/102
INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF TORTURE VICTIMS TO BE OBSERVED ON 26 JUNE
19990624 The second International Day in Support of Victims of Torture will be observed on 26 June. The Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on 12 December 1997, aims at eliminating torture and ensuring the application of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which entered into force on 26 June 1987.Underlining United Nations efforts to combat torture, the four main actors of the United Nations engaged in the fight against torture adopted a joint declaration again this year urging all States to ratify the Convention against Torture without reservations. In the declaration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Committee against Torture, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on questions relating to torture, and the Board of Trustees of the Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture also urged all States parties to the Convention which had not yet accepted the treaty's optional provisions to do so as soon as possible, so that individuals who claim to be victims of a violation of the rights protected by the Convention can submit complaints for consideration by the Committee which monitors its implementation.
The joint declaration calls on all States to ensure that torture is considered a crime in their domestic law and to rigorously pursue perpetrators. It also urges States to become parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as a matter of priority. Under article 7 of the Rome Statute, torture is one of the acts constituting a "crime against humanity" when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack. Also, according to article 8 of the Statute, torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments is one of the acts constituting a "war crime".
In addition, all States are urged to provide for compensation and rehabilitation of victims of torture in their domestic law and to contribute to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture as fully and as often as they can. The declaration adds that all States should cooperate with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture on fulfilling his mandate when requested to do so.
Since its creation, the United Nations has worked to eradicate torture. In 1984, the General Assembly adopted the Convention against Torture, which obliges States parties to make torture a crime and to prosecute and punish those guilty of it. It notes explicitly that neither higher orders nor exceptional circumstances can justify torture.
As of June 1999, the Convention has been ratified by 114 States. These States parties are required to report to the Committee against Torture, a human rights treaty body set up in 1987 to monitor compliance with the Convention and to assist States parties in implementing its provisions. The Committee is composed of 10 experts who serve in their personal capacity and are elected by States parties.
The Human Rights Commission Special Rapporteur on torture also plays a key role in the international fight against torture by requesting Governments to submit information regarding alleged cases of torture and other forms of ill-treatment that he receives from various sources, including individuals, and by reporting to the Commission. In 1998, the Special Rapporteur -- Sir Nigel Rodley, of the United Kingdom -- transmitted 122 urgent appeals to 41 countries on behalf of persons whose physical/mental integrity was reportedly at risk, as well as 64 letters to 59 countries on behalf of hundreds of alleged victims of torture.
Torture is one of the most profound human rights abuses, taking a terrible toll on millions of individuals and their families. Rape, blows to the soles of the feet, suffocation in water, burns, electric shocks, sleep deprivation, shaking and beating are commonly used by torturers to break down an individual's personality. As terrible as the physical wounds are, the psychological and emotional scars are usually the most devastating and the most difficult to repair. Many torture survivors suffer recurring nightmares and flashbacks. They withdraw from family, school and work and feel a loss of trust.
Thirty years ago there were no treatment centres or services to treat torture survivors. Today, there are some 200 centres or programmes all over the world. There is now profound knowledge of torture methods, the effects of torture, and how to diagnose and rehabilitate torture victims.
Over 100 programmes treating torture victims in more than 50 countries -- from the United States to Nepal -- receive funding from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, which was established in 1981.
From 1983 to July 1998, the Fund financed 300 projects, including those providing medical, psychological, legal, social, financial, humanitarian or other assistance to victims of torture and members of their families, as well as projects for training for health, social, psychological and other
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professionals working directly with victims of torture. In 1998, the Fund received applications for financial support totalling $6.8 million, but only $4.2 million was granted due to insufficient donations. This year, the Fund received requests for grants in the total amount of more than $8 million. Some $5.1 million will be granted to organizations supporting victims of torture.
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Note: As part of the commemoration of the UN Day, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Copenhagen-based International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims are organizing an exhibit in the public lobby of the General Assembly building, which will run until the beginning of August. The panel exhibit, which includes paintings and children's drawings, was inaugurated last year and describes the history and ongoing prevalence of torture, United Nations documents and mechanisms for combating torture, consequences of torture, rehabilitation and the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.