IRCT CELEBRATES THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTARY FUND FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE

IRCT CELEBRATES THE 25TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
VOLUNTARY FUND FOR VICTIMS OF
TORTURE

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.

The IRCT is the coordinator of the global campaign marking the
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. To read more
about the work against torture and the United Nations International
Day in Support of the Victims of Torture, please go to our website
at www.irct.org where you can find a list of local centres and
activities taking place on June 26th.