Download this document as a PDF document (53 KB) or Microsoft Word document (618 KB)Statement by IRCT President Dr Abdel Hamid Afana

On June 26 the world celebrates the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, reminding us of our moral, professional, humanitarian and ethical obligation to eradicate torture and human rights violations. In 2006 there is still a pressing need to respond to growing waves of torture practice and to address new attempts to justify torture.

For the ninth consecutive year, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) observes this special day in honour of torture victims and torture survivors worldwide.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT). On this occasion, the IRCT has the pleasure of warmly congratulating the Fund and its donors for their enduring efforts to support torture survivors, their families and their communities all over the world.

As an independent member-based organisation, the IRCT has been struggling for two decades to prevent the use of torture and to promote and support rehabilitation centres and programmes for torture survivors globally. We genuinely appreciate the crucial role of the Fund in ensuring that victims receive reparations, particularly rehabilitation. The fund is also instrumental in expanding the work to countries and regions where rehabilitation services are non-existent or insufficient in relation to the needs.

Today, on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we sadly report that more than one hundred countries continue to systematically practice torture. In addition, some voices - even in leading democratic countries - increasingly question the cornerstone of international and human rights law that prohibits torture at all times and in all circumstances. Every single day sees new torture victims and a corresponding need for resources to rehabilitate them. In order to help them back to a life as normal and as full as possible, we need to be able to offer them, and those who strive to assist them, consistent support and care. This can only be achieved if sustainable financial support is available.

I am deeply concerned about the fact that the Fund increasingly has to turn down requests from rehabilitation centres and programmes due to lack of resources. The Fund is the second largest source of funding for rehabilitation services providing grants to approximately 187 projects worldwide. In recent years a total of 65 countries have contributed to the Fund, eighteen of which are regular donors. In 2005, requests from centres amounted to some 14 million US dollars, exceeding the Fund’s capacity by one hundred percent. In many cases, the Fund’s contribution ensures the continued existence of centres and programmes and thus the continuity of care for torture survivors.

The IRCT promotes democratic development in many countries by addressing some of the major obstacles, including impunity and lack of adequate assistance to the victims. For this purpose, recognition and rehabilitation of torture survivors as well as effective legal and political measures to prevent torture and impunity need to be in place.

The IRCT is committed to advocating for increased funds for this work. I therefore urge all States to join in supporting the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and take the opportunity to encourage those States which already contribute to increase their donations.