International Day in Support of Victims of Torture Observed Worldwide, UN Calls for Zero Tolerance

The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is being observed across the world today, reaffirming global commitment toward the complete eradication of torture, protection of victims, access to justice, and rehabilitation for survivors.

The day is marked every year on June 26 after the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, officially designated the date to strengthen efforts aimed at ending torture and ensuring the effective implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

According to the United Nations, torture is a crime under international law and is absolutely prohibited under all circumstances, with no justification permitted. The UN states that systematic or widespread torture amounts to a crime against humanity.

The observance serves as a global call for governments, civil society organizations, and individuals to unite in support of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who have suffered torture and those who continue to face such abuse today.

The UN has emphasized that torture not only destroys a victim’s personality but also undermines the fundamental dignity of human beings. Despite international legal prohibitions, torture continues to persist in many parts of the world.

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Jill Edwards warned of a growing increase in torture worldwide, linking the trend to rising global conflicts. She noted that the International Committee of the Red Cross currently identifies around 100 active armed conflicts globally, with such situations often leading to increased cases of torture and inhumane treatment.

The UN also highlighted that torture is frequently justified under the pretext of national security and border protection, but its long-term consequences often extend beyond individual victims and can fuel cycles of violence across generations.

Stresssing the importance of recovery, the UN said specialized rehabilitation programmes remain essential for survivors, while rehabilitation centers and organizations worldwide continue helping victims transition from trauma toward healing.

The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, established in 1981 and administered by the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva, continues to provide legal, humanitarian, psychological, and medical support to torture survivors and their families, including refugees, children, indigenous communities, victims of enforced disappearance, and survivors of gender-based violence.

In his message on the occasion, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said perpetrators of torture must never escape accountability, while systems enabling torture should be dismantled or fundamentally transformed.

He also urged the international community to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against torture, emphasizing that there can be no excuse for its use under any circumstances.