June 26 th: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

“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.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the International Day in
Support of Victims of Torture 2011

 

Torture seeks to annihilate the victim’s personality and denies the inherent
dignity of the human being. The United Nations has condemned torture from the
outset as one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellow
human beings.
Torture is a crime under international law. According to all relevant instruments, it
is absolutely prohibited and cannot be justified under any circumstances. This
prohibition forms part of customary international law, which means that it is
binding on every member of the international community, regardless of whether a
State has ratified international treaties in which torture is expressly prohibited.
The systematic or widespread practice of torture constitutes a crime against
humanity.
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, (resolution 39/46), annex, which entered into force on
26 June 1987.
Coutecey to United Nations