Torture is regarded as one of the most profound human rights abuses. Twenty years ago, June 26 was proclaimed the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Broken lives, crushed fates and trampled individuality – those who suffered and survived the nightmare of torture sometimes can't get back to a normal life. Twenty years ago the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into force. More than one hundred countries were involved. Since then June 26 has become the International day in Support of Victims of Torture. During that time the call to stamp out torture has become more and more effective. Hundreds of special clinics and rehabilitation centres with programmes treating torture victims were opened around the world. It's estimated that hundreds of thousands of people in the world ask for medical and psychological help each year because of all they've been through. Among them are victims of inhuman treatment in prisons, people who were raped, victims of domestic violence and those who were held hostage. Unfortunately the mission to eradicate torture is impossible, because it's impossible to change human nature. But the fight to help its victims is not beyond people's power.