RE: United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
On Wednesday June 23, 2004, the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) sponsored two special events in honor of June 26th: the United Nations International Day in Support of Survivors of Torture. A panel, with an audience of approximately50 people, discussed the Absolute Prohibition of Torture In the Face of Security Concerns. The cultural event of the evening began with presentations by representatives of the Rwandan and Burmese communities about genocide in Rwanda and repression in Burma. This was followed by music, songs and dances that were mainly performed by clients of the CCVT.
On the occasion of June 26th, we must reiterate our commitment against torture and demand the following from the government that will emerge out of the present election:
Public condemnation of torture in Iraq and Afghanistan by US and coalition forces, and reiteration of the Canadian national and international obligations against torture and for its absolute prohibition (Article 2 of the UN Convention against Torture);
Canada never send back anybody to torture regardless of the person's status here (Article 3 of the UN Convention against Torture);
Allocation of more resources for rehabilitation of torture survivors in Canada, and at the global level by strengthening the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture;
Accession to the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and encouraging other countries including and especially the USA to do the same. This new international legal instrument deals with the mandate of the UN Committee against Torture to enter and monitor conditions in places of detention. It has been adopted by the UN General Assembly and is ready for Canadian accession.
For more information, please contact Mulugeta Abai, CCVT Executive Director, at 416-363-1066, or email him at mabai@ccvt.org.
