After the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, how can you get involved?

26 June was declared by United Nations General Assembly as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Hundreds of events are organised each year under the auspices of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

The UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1984. On 26 June 1987, the Convention came into force, after being ratified by 20 states. After this moment, states continued to legislate it at national level. Unfortunately, use of torture is flourishing right now, this being a reason why we need to act (or react).

How can we get involved to stop this unwanted behaviour? For sure, each of us can do something to prevent torture or to stop it. Even if, in 141 states, there are proofs of use of torture, we can (re)act to eliminate the use of torture.

How can you get involved?

Be informed

This may be considered the first step. Discovering the worldwide situation of the use of torture can help you to understand better how you can get involved to stop torture and to support the victims. Also, being informed and reflecting on the information will help you to react immediately. Think globally, act locally!

Raise awareness

After discovering  the problem and you could know how to react. You can challenge attitudes by creating awareness. A workshop, a presentation, a public event, a debate  can show the world that we have a problem that must be solved. Online and offline, your words, stories, your pictures or video can show the world that use of torture is unacceptable and must be stopped right now.

Sign & share petitions

You can show your support for the victims of torture by signing online petitions. These are calling on justice, on effective investigations. You can start with the ones for the five cases highlighted by Stop Torture campaign: Claudia, Moses, Dilorom, Ali and Alfreda.

To sum up, I consider that we can be involved and, by our actions, we can stop torture. Our help can be found in different actions: activism, raising awareness, spreading information, signing petitions etc.