United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

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 oftorture 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.
—Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan

On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we express our solidarity with, and support for, the hundreds of thousands of victims of torture and their family members throughout the world who endure such suffering. We also note the obligation of States not only to prevent torture but to provide all torture victims with effective and prompt redress, compensation and appropriate social, psychological, medical and other forms of rehabilitation. Both the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council have now strongly urged States to establish and support rehabilitation centres or facilities.
—United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 2012[

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_in_Support_of_Victims_of_Torture

#26June: What are you doing to support victims of torture?

#26June: What are you doing to support victims of torture?

The fight against torture happens on several fronts; from lobbying international organisations and governments to training health care providers, lawyers and judges, or through supporting the victims themselves to share their stories.

But to win the fight against torture, we need more than that. We need you. We need the collective action of individuals around the world to build a political will, so that perpetrators know that we will no longer accept torture. We will not allow these crimes to continue with impunity.

The IRCT has worked hard to make rehabilitation a right. But we still need to make this right a reality. For that to happen, we need people like you, saying with one voice, “Victims of torture have the right to rehabilitation. Let’s make this right a reality.”

On 26 June is the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. In honour of this day, we call on you to show your support for the victims of this heinous crime and together show the world that we no longer accept torture.

So, on 26 June, what will you do to stop torture?

Here are some ideas of ways to show your support to the victims of torture:

Send a message of support: take a picture of yourself with a message to victims of torture. You can write:

• On 26 June, I show my support for victims of torture
• Stop torture
• No more torture
• Torture victims have a right to rehabilitation

Use this photo as your profile picture
Or, post it on Facebook, on the World Without Torture event page or our wall
Send your photo message to us via Twitter @withouttorture with the hashtag #26June
Simply post a message of support on Facebook or Twitter. Remember to tag it #26June or #Right2Rehab