|
International Day in support of Victims of Torture
(26 June 2007)
 On
26 June 1987 the Convention against Torture came into force. It was
an important step in the much-needed 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.
The theme in 2006 was the need for rehabilitation and
the need for adequate and sustainable funding to the United Nations
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, UNVFVT. After the EU the Fund
is the biggest donor to rehabilitation centres and programmes worldwide,
but still, there are requests from centres and programmes for double
the resources available. Therefore, the need to commit governments to
support the Fund is urgent.
Source: United Nations, IRCT
News
International Day in support of Victims of Torture(27.06.07)
The UN Convention Against Torture at 20 -- remarkable achievements, formidable challenges(26.06.07)
Cambodia: More effective measures are required to end torture(25.06.07)
Israel: New report of torture victims(3.06.07)
Haitian death squad leader ordered to pay $19 million to torture survivors(26.10.06)
The world says NO to torture on 26 June(26.06.06)
'War on terror' threatens 'war on torture'(24.06.06)
Optional Protocol to Torture Convention enters into force(21.06.06)
Amnesty International launches campaign against torture in the 'war on terror'(27.06.05)
France: Justice fails victims of police brutality(6.04.05)
Thailand urged to join UN Torture Convention to stem growing abuses(12.11.04)
Egypt: Torture victims clinic threatened with closure(14.07.04)
Sri Lanka: A demonstration by victims of torture to create public awareness(25.07.02)
UN approves grants totalling some $7.8 million to assist torture victims(15.07.02)
Making the Convention against Torture a reality(27.06.02)
Selected learning materials
Study
Guide on Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment [Español]
[Français]
This guide provides a brief introduction into
definitions and practices torture, international human rights standards
and strategies for prevention.
For educators
Stop
torture (Amnesty International)
This booklet is part of a package of education materials produced by
Amnesty International to provide teachers and educators with a generic
resource that can be used to prepare lessons that assist children understand
that torture is a violation of human rights. It is written for 10 to
12-year-old children but can be adapted as required by the teacher/educator
for other age groups.
For legal professionals
Combating
Torture. A Manual for Judges and Prosecutors (Conor Foley, 2003)
This manual outlines the duties and responsibilities of judges and prosecutors
to prevent and investigate acts of torture, and other forms of ill-treatment,
to ensure that those who perpetrate such acts are brought to justice
and to provide redress for their victims. It also provides practical
advice, drawn from best practice, about how torture can be combated
at a procedural level.
Guide
to Jurisprudence on Torture and Ill-Treatment: Article 3 of the European
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights (Association for the
Prevention of Torture)
This guide describes the jurisprudence around cased of torture and
ill-treatment taken up by the European Court of Human Rights. It is
intended as useful tool for pracitioners, human rights defenders and
scholars.
For human rights monitors
Manual
on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Office of the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)
This manual is intended to serve as international guidelines for the
assessment of persons who allege torture and ill-treatment, for investigating
cases of alleged torture and for reporting findings to the judiciary
or any other investigative body.
Optional
Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment - A Manual for Prevention (IIDH/APT)
This manual introduces the Optional Protocol, stressing the need for
this innovative instrument within the framework of existing norms and
mechanisms. It inludes history of the Optional Protocol, from its initial
conception, through the drawn-out negotiation process to its final historic
adoption by the UN General Assembly.
Preventing
Torture: A handbook for OSCE field staff (OIDHR)
This handbook serves as a basic reference work for OSCE staff who are
confronted with allegations related to torture and ill-treatment or
who need access to the relevant international safeguards, standards
and mechanisms.
The
Torture Reporting Handbook. How to document and respond to allegations
of torture within the international system for the protection of human
rights (Camille Giffard)
A reference guide on how to take action in response
to allegations of torture or ill-treatment. It explains how the process
of reporting and submitting complaints to international bodies and mechanisms
works; how you might go about documenting allegations; what you can
do with the information once it has been collected; how to choose between
the various mechanisms according to your particular objectives; and
how to present your information in a way which makes it most likely
that you will obtain a response.
International and regional treaties and standards to abolish
and prevent torture:
- Declaration
on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1975)
- Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
(1984)
- Optional
Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (2002)
- Principles
of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly
Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1982)
- Inter-American
Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture (1985)
- European
Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment (1987)
Useful Links
Amnesty
International's campaign against torture
Association
for the Prevention of Torture (APT)
World Organisation
Against Torture (OMCT)
Other
organisations that monitor and campaign against torture
International
Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)
United
Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture
Other
organisations that provide support to victims of torture
European Committee
for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CPT)
UN
Committee Against Torture
UN
Special Rapporteur on Torture
|
