In 1997 the UN General Assembly passed a resolution and declared 26 June as the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
The aim is the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
2015 Theme : Right to Rehabilitation (R2R)
The IRCT – International Rehabilitation Council for Torture victims members and their friends provide much needed rehabilitation services to torture survivors in over 70 countries.
Every year the IRCT monitors the campaign plans of organizations around the world and publishes the 26 June Global Report towards the end of the year where it describes the events held in commemoration of the day.
According to the latest 26 June Global Report (2012), at least 100 organizations in 60 countries around the world commemorated the day with conferences, workshops, peaceful rallies, cultural and musical events, events for children, etc.
The need for rehabilitation far exceeds the capacity of rehabilitation centres. The vast majority of survivors of torture are forced to cope with their trauma alone. Providing holistic rehabilitation and redress to survivors of torture and trauma can help heal the effects of torture and therefore help reconstruct broken societies. The aim of rehabilitation is to empower torture survivors to rebuild their life. This is why the R2R is more important than ever.
