International Day in Support of
Victims of Torture
26 June 2005
First observed in 1998, this Day was chosen because on 26 June 1987, the UN Convention Against Torture came into force - and on 26 June 1948 the United Nations Charter was signed.
Since its founding, the United Nations has worked towards the eradication of torture.
The UN Convention Against Torture obliges the 105 states which have ratified it to act to prevent torture and to ensure that torture is an offence punishable under criminal law. A UN Special Rapporteur on Torture responds to complaints from individuals and groups, and reports to the UN High Commission on Human Rights. Yet still torture persists. Today there are over 200 treatment centres or services for torture survivors, and there is now profound knowledge of torture methods, the effects of torture, and how to diagnose and rehabilitate torture victims. A United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture was established in 1981. From 1983 - 1998 300 projects were financed by the project.
For more information visit the United Nations Events website
In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organisation to draw up the United Nations Charter. The Organisation officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and a majority of other signatories.
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