Delhi Declaration and Programme of Action on Freedom from Torture
The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the UN World Conference on Human Rights in June 1993 constituted a landmark as the international level in the consideration of freedom from torture. Since then a number of developments have taken place.
These include
A steadily increasing number of states have ratified the UN Convention Against Torture. Several more have signed the Convention and initiated the process of ratification. However, the number of states having ratified the Convention Against Torture in full and without reservations is still regrettably small. Therefore in many cases the individual protection foreseen under the Convention is denied.
An increasing number of national human rights institutions have been established, many of which have given priority to the problem of torture.
Despite continuance of impunity laws in certain countries, the number of alleged perpetrators formally indicted and actually brought to trial are on the increase nationally as well as internationally.
The recognition of the need to provide comprehensive reparation to victims of torture is gaining ground nationally, as well as internationally.
Access to professional health and legal assistance is available to an increasing number of survivors of torture worldwide.
Relevant training and material concerning torture is available to a growing number of survivors of health professionals and law enforcement personnel, civil and military. However, few countries – even state parties to the Convention against Torture – have systematically implemented such training in the curricula of all relevant professions as foreseen in the Convention. Relevant training material has also not been made available in all the languages required at country level.
An initiative has been taken by a number of concerned NGOs and health professions to update and expand existing manuals for forensic medical examination of suspected victims of torture. The resulting Istanbul Protocol outlines principles for investigations and diagnostic tests. It also suggests international minimum standards expected to be considered shortly by the UN.
Multilateral and bilateral funds for assistance to victims of torture have been on the increase but are still far from sufficient to allow continued operation and the necessary expansion of appropriate services for survivours of torture and their families.
An increasing number of states have joined the European Convention for Prevention of Torture accepting unhindered access to any place of detention including psychiatric services under the jurisdiction of a state party. However, the efforts within the UN Commission on Human Rights trying to create a similar system at the global level have still not resulted in consensus.
In 1997 the UN General Assembly instituted June 26 as international day in memory of victims of torture. This day is now being observed all over the world.
These include
A steadily increasing number of states have ratified the UN Convention Against Torture. Several more have signed the Convention and initiated the process of ratification. However, the number of states having ratified the Convention Against Torture in full and without reservations is still regrettably small. Therefore in many cases the individual protection foreseen under the Convention is denied.
An increasing number of national human rights institutions have been established, many of which have given priority to the problem of torture.
Despite continuance of impunity laws in certain countries, the number of alleged perpetrators formally indicted and actually brought to trial are on the increase nationally as well as internationally.
The recognition of the need to provide comprehensive reparation to victims of torture is gaining ground nationally, as well as internationally.
Access to professional health and legal assistance is available to an increasing number of survivors of torture worldwide.
Relevant training and material concerning torture is available to a growing number of survivors of health professionals and law enforcement personnel, civil and military. However, few countries – even state parties to the Convention against Torture – have systematically implemented such training in the curricula of all relevant professions as foreseen in the Convention. Relevant training material has also not been made available in all the languages required at country level.
An initiative has been taken by a number of concerned NGOs and health professions to update and expand existing manuals for forensic medical examination of suspected victims of torture. The resulting Istanbul Protocol outlines principles for investigations and diagnostic tests. It also suggests international minimum standards expected to be considered shortly by the UN.
Multilateral and bilateral funds for assistance to victims of torture have been on the increase but are still far from sufficient to allow continued operation and the necessary expansion of appropriate services for survivours of torture and their families.
An increasing number of states have joined the European Convention for Prevention of Torture accepting unhindered access to any place of detention including psychiatric services under the jurisdiction of a state party. However, the efforts within the UN Commission on Human Rights trying to create a similar system at the global level have still not resulted in consensus.
In 1997 the UN General Assembly instituted June 26 as international day in memory of victims of torture. This day is now being observed all over the world.