| International Day in Support of Victims of Torture | |
|---|---|
| Also called | 26 June |
| Type | International |
| Date | 26 June |
| Related to | Human Rights Day |
The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – 26 June is held annually on 26 June to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors throughout the world.
| “ | This is a day on which we pay our respects to those who have endured the unimaginable. This is an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable. It is long overdue that a day be dedicated to remembering and supporting the many victims and survivors of torture around the world. | ” |
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—Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan[1] |
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| “ | At a time when the legitimate aspirations of people in many regions of the world for greater freedom, dignity and a better life are too often met with violence and repression, I urge States to respect the fundamental rights of all people. Torture and other forms of cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment and punishment, wherever they occur and whatever the circumstances, can never be justified. | ” |
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The day was selected by the United Nations General Assembly for two reasons. First, on 26 June 1945, the United Nations Charter was signed – the first international instrument obliging UN members to respect and promote human rights. Second, 26 June 1987 was when the United Nations Convention Against Torture came into effect.
The decision to annually observe the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was taken by the UN General Assembly at the proposal of Denmark, which is home to the world-renowned International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)[3].
The first 26 June events were launched in 1998[4]. Since then, dozens of organisations in dozens of countries mark the day each year with events, celebrations and campaigns[5].
On 16 July 2009, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was chosen as a public holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[6]
Every year the IRCT monitors the campaign plans of organisations around the world and towards the end of the year publishes the 26 June Global Report where it describes the events held in commemoration of the day. According to the latest 26 June Global Report (2010), at least 38 countries around the world commemorated the day with conferences, workshops, peaceful rallies, cultural and musical events, events for children, etc.
List of organisations reported to have held events to commemorate the day in 2010:[5]
Albania: Albanian Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma and Torture (ARCT)
Argentina: Argentine Team of Psychosocial Work and Research (EATIP)
Armenia: Foundation Against Violation of Law
Australia: Association of Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors (ASeTTS) in partnership with Curtin University of Technology’s Centre for Human Rights Education (CHRE) and Amnesty International
Bangladesh: Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (CRTS)
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Association Vive Žene
Brazil: Grupo Tortura Nunca Mais – Rio de Janeiro
Cameroon: Centre for Rehabilitation and Abolition of Torture (CRAT)
Canada: Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT)
Chad: Youth for Peace and Nonviolence Association (AJPNV)
Croatia: Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (RCT) Zagreb
Cyprus: Unit of Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT)
Denmark: Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT)
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Regroupement des Mamans de Kamituga (REMAK)
Ecuador: Foundation for Integral Rehabilitation of Violence Victims (PRIVA)
Georgia: EMPATHY, The international Psycho-Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture, Violence and Pronounced Stress Impact
Germany: Berlin Centre for the Treatment of Torture Victims (bzfo) and Medical Care Service for Refugees Bochum (MFH)
Hungary: Cordelia Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims
India: Centre for Care of Torture Victims (CCTV), Rural Uplift Centre (RUC) and Society for Social Research, Art and Culture (SOSRAC)
Indonesia: Alliance of Democracy for Papua (ALDP) and Rehabilitation Action for Torture Victims in Aceh (RATA)
Iraq: Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC)
Italy: Hospitality and Care for Victims of Torture, Italian Council for Refugees (CIR-VI.TO.)
Kenya: Mwatikho Torture Survivors Organization (MATESO)
Kosovo: Kosovo Rehabilitation centre for Torture Victims (KRCT)
Lebanon: Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (KRC) and Restart Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture
Mexico: Colectivo Contra la Tortura y la Impunidad (CCTI)
Moldova: Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims – “Memoria”
Morocco: Medical Association for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (AMRVT)
Nepal: Centre for Victims of Torture Nepal (CVICT)
New Zealand: Refugees As Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ)
Palestinian Territory: Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), Jesoor for Trauma Recovery and Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC)
Senegal: VIVRE/CAPREC – Rehabilitating Victims of Violence
Serbia: Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IAN CRTV)
Sierra Leone: Community Association for Psychosocial Services (CAPS)
South Africa: The Trauma Centre For Survivors Of Violence and Torture (TCSVT)
Sri Lanka: Survivors Associated (SA)
Turkey: Centre of Social Action, Rehabilitation and Readjustment for the victims of torture (SOHRAM-CASRA) and Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT) – Adana, Ankara, Diyarbakir, Istanbul and Izmir
United Kingdom: Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture and Refugee Therapy Centre (RTC)
Serbia: Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IAN CRTV)
United States: Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (ASTT), Survivors International (SI)
In Asia the Asian Human Rights Commission holds regional events every year. Anti Torture networks in various Asian countries that still suffer from the widespread use of torture are holding rallies and public events.