International Day in Support of Victims

of Torture
July 2, 2015

OnJune26,peoplefromaroundtheworldcommemoratedthe
InternationalDayinSupportofVictimsofTorture.Threeyearsago,
theUnitedNationsSecretaryGeneralBanKiMoonrecognized
this daybysaying:OnthisInternationalDayinSupportofVictims
ofTorture,weexpressoursolidaritywith,andsupportfor,the
hundredsofthousandsofvictimsoftortureandtheirfamilymembers
throughouttheworldwhoenduresuchsuffering.Wealsonotethe
obligationofStatesnotonlytopreventtorturebuttoprovideall
torturevictimswitheffectiveandpromptredress,compensationand
appropriatesocial,psychological,medicalandotherformsof
rehabilitation.
TheSyriaJusticeandAccountabilityCentre(SJAC)wouldliketo
recognizeallthevictimsinSyriaandaroundtheglobewhohavedied
undertorture,arecurrentlysufferingindetention,orhaveescapedthe
abuseandarenowlivingwiththephysicalandemotionalscars.Those
whohavesurvivedhaveenduredindescribableviolationsthatrequire
immediateredressandattention.Tortureisacrimeundercustomary
internationallaw,meaningitappliestoallcountrieswhetherornot
theyhaveaccededtointernationalconventionsbanningtorture.All
perpetratorsofsuchactsmustbeheldaccountablebecausethereis
absolutelynojustificationforinflictingthiskindofsufferingon
anotherhumanbeing.Byworkingtodocumentthecrimescommitted,
SJACaimstocreateapathwayforSyrianvictimstoregaintheir

dignitythroughjusticeagainsttheperpetrators,leadingtolongterm
peaceforallSyrians.
ThefirstcommemorationofInternationalDayinSupportofVictims
ofTorturewasin1998,followingaproposalbyDenmarkto
acknowledgetorturevictims.TheJune26thdatewaschosenbecause
theUnited Nations Charterandwassignedonthatdatein1945
andtheUnited Nations Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishmentcameintoeffectthesamedayin1987.
FormoreinformationandtoprovidefeedbackpleaseemailSJAC
atinfo@syriaaccountability.org.