Torture is one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellow human beings. It is prohibited under international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances. The United Nations General Assembly, in its effort to totally eradicate torture and to ensure effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and other forms of Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) proclaimed 26 June as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. However, the Government of India has still not ratified the UN Convention on Torture since its signature in the year 1997.
In solidarity with the plights of the countless victims of torture silently suffering in various corners of this country, the Center for Social Action Documentation Research & Training (ADHIKAR), the Dalit Foundation (DF), the Friends’ Association for Rural Reconstruction (FARR), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), People’s Watch (PW), the Rural Development Society (RDS-LRSA), and the South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), and HAQ: Centre for Child Rights are jointly organising a two days National Convention in Solidarity with Victims of Torture on 24-25 June, 2016, at
Conference Room I
India International Centre,
40, Max Mueller Marg,
New Delhi – 110003
The Convention will reflect on the situation of torture on the ground in different parts of the country, as well as latest developments in laws, policies, jurisprudence etc. and strategise on an effective coordinated plan of action to eradicate torture in India. The Convention also plans to engage with the relevant Ministries of the Government of India, relevant National Human Rights Institutions as well as specialist national organisations and platforms working with Dalits, Indigenous/Adivasis, Children, Women, homeless, policing, human rights defenders etc.
