International Day
in Support of Victims of Torture
Today is also the United Nations’ (UN)
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is annually observed on June
26 to remind people that human torture is not only unacceptable – it is also a
crime.
Background
On June 26,
1987, the Convention against Torture came into force. It was an important step
in the process of globalizing human rights and acknowledging that torture and
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment should be universally illegal. In
1997 the United Nations General Assembly decided to mark this historic date and
designated June 26 each year as the International Day in Support of Victims of
Torture.
The first
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was held on June 26, 1998.
It was a day when the United Nations appealed to all governments and members of
civil society to take action to defeat torture and torturers everywhere. That
same year marked the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which proclaims that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
Rehabilitation
centers and human rights organizations around the world celebrate the UN’s
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26 each year. The
day serves as a reminder to people that torture is a crime. This event gives
everyone a chance to unite and voice their opinions against human torture.
Organizations,
including the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims and
Amnesty International, have played an active role in organizing events around the
world to promote the day. Activities may include: photo exhibitions; the
distribution of posters and other material to boost people’s awareness of
issues related to human torture; and television advertisements. The
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is not a public holiday and
public life is not affected.
Symbols
The United
Nations’ logo is often associated with marketing and promotional material for
this event. It features a projection of a world map (less Antarctica) centered
on the North Pole, enclosed by olive branches. The olive branches are a symbol
for peace, and the world map represents all the people of the world. The logo
appears in colors such as black on a white or light yellow background.
Summary
Torture seeks
to annihilate the victim’s personality and denies the inherent dignity of the
human being.
On 12 December
1997, by resolution 52/149, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 26 June the
United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view
to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment.
The UN
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June marks the moment
in 1987 when the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment, one of the key instruments in fighting
torture, came into effect. Today, the Convention has been ratified by 162
countries.
Significance:
The day is marked to bring about
awareness of the suffering of people who undergo torture, and how to eradicate
the practice. The day is also an opportunity to call on all stakeholders,
including UN Member States, civil society and individuals, to unite in support
of victims of torture and those who are still being tortured around the world.
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