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International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – 26 June

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is annually observed on June 26 to remind people that human torture is not only unacceptable – it is also a crime.

What Do People Do?
Rehabilitation centers and human rights organizations around the world celebrate the UN’s International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26 each year. The day serves as a reminder to people that torture is a crime. This event gives everyone a chance to unite and voice their opinions against human torture.

Background
On June 26, 1987, the Convention against Torture came into force. It was an important step in the process of globalizing human rights and acknowledging that torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment should be universally illegal. In 1997 the United Nations General Assembly decided to mark this historic date and designated June 26 each year as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

The first International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was held on June 26, 1998. It was a day when the United Nations appealed to all governments and members of civil society to take action to defeat torture and torturers everywhere. That same year marked the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.

 Source: Text: timeanddate.com Image: Cathobel

 

World Animal Day – 4 October

It’s all about animals on October 04 – the World Animal Day (WAD). This is an international awareness day and puts the harm of animals caused by humans into the centre of attention. Often farm animals and pets are kept under bad conditions and neglected.

It was Heinrich Zimmermann, a German-Jewish author, who made an application to initiate a day dedicated to animals, in 1931 on the convention of ecologists in Florence. He had fought for animal rights for many years. His suggestion had been effectuated in shape of World Animal Day.

Animal rights groups support the rights of animals on a global basis on World Animal Day. They should be treated like living creatures and not as products or things. A species-appropriate husbandry means to care for medical treatment, feed them, and give them enough space and love. Extremely cruel treatments like violence, neglect or too long periods of transports are blasted. Very often animal homes, shelters and animal clinics organize open house on World Animal Day. Everyone shall be encouraged to rise up against cruelty towards animals.

World Animal Day takes place on the Saint’s day of Francis of Assisi. He was very fond of animals and godly monk. From his point of view even the smallest worm has to be seen as a creation of God and needs to be protected and honored. During his life he preached that animals are equal to humans and it is our sacred duty to protect them and treat them kind. That is exactly the basic idea of the modern World Animal Day.

Source: Texte:  www.cute-calendar.com  Images: Wikipedia, For Ever For Always No matter What

 

 

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – 26 June

Torture seeks to annihilate the victim’s personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. Despite the absolute prohibition of torture under international law, torture persist in all regions of the world. Concerns about protecting national security and borders are increasingly used to allow torture and other forms of cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment. Its pervasive consequences often go beyond the isolated act on an individual; and can be transmitted through generations and lead to cycles of violence.

The United Nations has condemned torture from the outset as one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellow human beings.

Torture is a crime under international law. According to all relevant instruments, it is absolutely prohibited and cannot be justified under any circumstances. This prohibition forms part of customary international law, which means that it is binding on every member of the international community, regardless of whether a State has ratified international treaties in which torture is expressly prohibited. The systematic or widespread practice of torture constitutes a crime against humanity.

On 12 December 1997, by resolution 52/149, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

26 June is an opportunity to call on all stakeholders including UN Member States, civil society and individuals everywhere to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been victims of torture and those who are still tortured today.

Recovering from torture requires prompt and specialized programmes. The work of rehabilitation centres and organisations around the world has demonstrated that victims can make the transition from horror to healing.

Source: Text: UN  Image: spots.thinkglobalschool.com