Islamabad: United Nations’ (UN) international day in support of victims of torture being observed today June 26 (Saturday) across the globe including Pakistan to remind people that human torture is not only unacceptable but it is also a crime.
The day serves as a reminder to people that torture is a crime. This event gives everyone a chance to unite and voice their opinions against human torture.
It is pertinent to mention here that women, men and children living in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have “faced pellet guns, sexual assault, electrocution, and physical and mental torture” at the hands of Indian forces. The genocide in IIOJK continues unabated leaving a blotch on India’s face of a ‘so-called champion of human rights’. The 76th UNGA session is a test case for the global organization to bail out the beleaguered population of IIOJK from perpetual humiliation, oppression and subjugation by more than half a million Indian security forces.
Organizations, including the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims and Amnesty International, have played an active role in organizing events around the world to promote the day.
Activities may include: photo exhibitions; the distribution of posters and other material to boost people’s awareness of issues related to human torture; and television advertisements.
On June 26, 1987, the convention against torture came into force. It was an important step in the process of globalizing human rights and acknowledging that torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment should be universally illegal. In 1997 the United Nations General Assembly decided to mark this historic date and designated June 26 each year as the international day in support of victims of torture.
The first International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was held on June 26, 1998. It was a day when the United Nations appealed to all governments and members of civil society to take action to defeat torture and torturers everywhere.
That same year marked the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. Web Desk
