What you need to know about INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE

In accordance with international laws, torture in any form is illegal. To mark this, the UN General Assembly, in a resolution on 12 December 1997, declared that 26th June will be observed as International Day in support of victims of torture.

WHAT IS DEFINED AS TORTURE?

The Human Rights court defines torture as a ‘deliberate inhuman treatment causing very serious and cruel suffering.’ The UN considers it as a very vile act which, if not taken action against, continues to be a cycle of violence and suffering. Usually, torture is used as a device by many countries for their national as well as international security. They use it to extract information from third parties, know about the enemy countries plans, etc. The victims of torture are not chosen specifically. What happens is, if the torturer recognises that maybe the victim can tell him/her an important fact which puts him at an advantage, then actions are taken promptly to bring the victim to them.

These victims come from various walks of life. It is not compulsory that only an important person will have some useful information which can be beneficial for a third party. It is not that torture is always used for extracting info. It can also be used as a device to create fear. In third world countries as well as Arab countries, where generally crimes against women are rampant, torture acts as an important weapon for the in-laws in order to control the woman.

IMPORTANCE

The aim of the UN was to completely annihilate torture of any forms. On this day, they want everyone worldwide to take a stand against torture of any kind. This day was celebrated for the very first time on 26th June 1998. On that day, the UN appealed to all its stakeholders, countries as well as the global societies to take a stand against torture and torturers everywhere.

A PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCERN

Victims of torture experience lifelong effects of the trauma that was inflicted on them. Symptoms such as anxiety, avoidance, sleeplessness, irritability, depression etc. are very common among victims. Rehabilitation can be useful for them, but it ultimately depends on the doctors, psychologists, lawyers and social workers who deals with such kinds of victims.

ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS

The UN helps such victims in their healing with the support of the UN Fund for Victims of Torture. The main aim of the UN is to basically eradicate torture worldwide. Torture, in any form, is not at all okay. The UN absolutely condemns it. They marked this day in order to raise awareness for such victims.

---- Jayati Roy Choudhury