The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, urged all Governments to ratify the UN Convention against Torture to ensure that torture is a crime in their domestic law and to rigorously pursue perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Thirty years ago, there were no treatment centres or services to treat torture survivors. Today there are some 200 centres or programmes all over the world. There is now profound knowledge of torture methods, the effects of torture, and how to diagnose and rehabilitate torture victims.
Over 100 programmes treating torture victims in more than 50 countries -- from the United States to Nepal -- receive funding from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, which was established in 1981. "The UN Voluntary Fund breathed life into our program", says Dr. Allen Keller of the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. The New York-based program received $25,000 from the UN Fund in 1996 and $40,000 in 1997.
From 1983 to July 1998, the Fund financed 300 projects, giving priority to those providing direct medical or psychological assistance to torture victims. In 1998, the Fund received applications for financial support totalling $6.8 million but only $4 million was granted due to insufficient donations.
On this day, Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, appeals for increased contributions to the Voluntary Fund so that more torture victims can receive the help they need.
Thirty years ago, there were no treatment centres or services to treat torture survivors. Today there are some 200 centres or programmes all over the world. There is now profound knowledge of torture methods, the effects of torture, and how to diagnose and rehabilitate torture victims.
Over 100 programmes treating torture victims in more than 50 countries -- from the United States to Nepal -- receive funding from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, which was established in 1981. "The UN Voluntary Fund breathed life into our program", says Dr. Allen Keller of the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. The New York-based program received $25,000 from the UN Fund in 1996 and $40,000 in 1997.
From 1983 to July 1998, the Fund financed 300 projects, giving priority to those providing direct medical or psychological assistance to torture victims. In 1998, the Fund received applications for financial support totalling $6.8 million but only $4 million was granted due to insufficient donations.
On this day, Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, appeals for increased contributions to the Voluntary Fund so that more torture victims can receive the help they need.
The decision to annually observe the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was taken by the UN General Assembly last December at the proposal of Denmark, which is home to the world-renowned International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims.
The commemoration this year coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which, in its Article 5, proclaims that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". In addition, delegates now meeting in Rome to establish the first permanent International Criminal Court are studying proposals concerning a mandate to cover torture.
Since its creation, the United Nations has worked to eradicate torture. In 1984, the General Assembly adopted the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which entered into force on 26 June 1987. The Convention obliges States to make torture a crime and to prosecute and punish those guilty of it. It notes explicitly that neither higher orders nor exceptional circumstances can justify torture.
As of June 1998, the Convention has been ratified by 105 States. These States parties are required to report to the UN Committee against Torture, a human rights treaty body set up in 1987 to monitor compliance with the Convention and to assist States parties in implementing its provisions. The Committee is composed of 10 independent experts who serve in their personal capacity and are elected by States parties.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture plays a key role in the international fight against torture by responding to complaints from individuals and groups and reporting to the UN Commission on Human Rights. In 1997, Mr. Nigel Rodley (United Kingdom) transmitted 119 urgent appeals to 45 countries on behalf of torture victims and those fearing torture.
The commemoration this year coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which, in its Article 5, proclaims that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". In addition, delegates now meeting in Rome to establish the first permanent International Criminal Court are studying proposals concerning a mandate to cover torture.
Since its creation, the United Nations has worked to eradicate torture. In 1984, the General Assembly adopted the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which entered into force on 26 June 1987. The Convention obliges States to make torture a crime and to prosecute and punish those guilty of it. It notes explicitly that neither higher orders nor exceptional circumstances can justify torture.
As of June 1998, the Convention has been ratified by 105 States. These States parties are required to report to the UN Committee against Torture, a human rights treaty body set up in 1987 to monitor compliance with the Convention and to assist States parties in implementing its provisions. The Committee is composed of 10 independent experts who serve in their personal capacity and are elected by States parties.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture plays a key role in the international fight against torture by responding to complaints from individuals and groups and reporting to the UN Commission on Human Rights. In 1997, Mr. Nigel Rodley (United Kingdom) transmitted 119 urgent appeals to 45 countries on behalf of torture victims and those fearing torture.
There are 105 States parties to the Convention against Torture:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Yemen, and Yugoslavia.
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