June 26, 1987 is the day the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment went into effect. Since 1998, June 26 has been honored worldwide as United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and served to remind the world that torture is a crime and provides a platform from which we can voice our collective opposition to this cruel violation of human rights.

In order to highlight this importance of this day, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) calls upon its network of members to help organise its own campaign events across the globe. The purpose of such events is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and shed much-deserved light on these issues. This year, the IRCT has chosen poverty–one of the underlying causes of torture as well as an issue face by many torture survivors–as the theme of its June 26th campaign.

Log onto their website for more information or to join them in their effort to spread the message that torture suvivors need our support. Campaign materials are also available if you are looking for ways to hold events in your area.