The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) joins the world community in recognizing and observing the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (June 26) to raise awareness about the global movement to end torture in all nations and to build a network of support for victims of torture and their families.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted June 26 as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture in 1997. However, the prohibition of torture has been binding international law under the Convention against Torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment (1987), international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions and Optional Protocols (beginning in 1949), and international criminal law, an example being the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. In addition, a person has a human right to be free of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment under the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/), the non-binding framework which provides the foundation for the principles and work of the advancement of human rights and human dignity globally.
The crime of torture is one of the most heinous acts a human being can commit against another human being. The act of torture is not only a violation of international law, it is also a deep and irreversible violation perpetrated against the body, mind, spirit, and soul of another human being. The act of torture is a complete disregard for human rights and a complete denial of human dignity.
Many victims of torture suffer long-term and permanent effects of being tortured. For example, according to the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, many torture victims suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, severe anxiety, and memory lapses.
AHRC joins the world community in calling for an end to all forms of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment pursuant to international law and international human rights principles.
“AHRC affirms the basic right to be free from all forms of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and we support and stand firmly in solidarity with victims of these heinous crimes in their pursuit of justice and their right to rehabilitation,” said Imad Hamad, AHRC’s Executive Director.
To learn more about the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and how to make a difference, please visit the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims at :http://www.irct.org/