International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

On this date in 1987, the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into force. This was an important step in the process of globalising human rights and acknowledging that torture, and all forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, are absolutely and universally illegal. In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly decided to mark this historic date and designated 26 June each year as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
  • International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
  • 2012-06-26T00:08:00+02:00
  • 2012-06-26T00:08:00+02:00
  • On this date in 1987, the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into force. This was an important step in the process of globalising human rights and acknowledging that torture, and all forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, are absolutely and universally illegal. In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly decided to mark this historic date and designated 26 June each year as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
  • When 26 Jun, 2012 from 12:08 AM to 12:08 AM (Africa/Johannesburg / UTC200)
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The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) has designated "poverty"as the theme of this year's observance of the International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture. Poverty is both a root cause of torture and an effect of torture on its victims, their families and wider societies. Providing rehabilitation to survivors, as well as working for justice and the prevention of torture, helps break a cycle of poverty.

The Day also draws attention to the widespread use of torture against women. Women fall victim to torture in different ways, as highlighted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's global campaign to end violence against women (UNiTE) launched in February 2008 and other recent initiatives concerning violence against women, such as the United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Certain forms of gender-specific violence perpetrated by State actors, as well as by private individuals or organisations, clearly amount to torture, and it is now recognised that gender-specific violence falls within the definition of torture in the Convention against Torture.

Sources: United Nations, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), Human Rights Education Associates (HREA).

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