NATT

June 26 International Day in Support of Torture Victims 2011

Organized by: South India Cell for Human Rights Education & Monitoring (SICHREM) In collaboration with:

St Josephs College & National Alliance for Testimonial Therapy (NATT)

Observing June 26-Day In Support of Victims of Torture- by SICHREM, St Josephs College & NATT 2011,Blr. Page 1

Brief Report of the Events. South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM) in collaboration with St Josephs College and National Alliance for Testimonial Therapy (NATT) organized events to observe June 26- International Day in Support of Torture Victims on the 24 and 25th June 2011. June 26th is the day on which the international community comes together to observe the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day is marked with significance because it was on June 26th 1987, that the Convention against Torture, Inhuman Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) came into effect (adopted in 1984). The Convention requires each State Party to take effective measures to prevent acts of torture within its jurisdiction. Importantly, to make torture a criminal offence in domestic law punishable with appropriate penalties. As of 22nd June 2011, there are 147 State Parties, who have shown their commitment to eradicating torture by ratifying CAT and 77 states that are yet to ratify CAT - India belongs to this group. The overwhelming support of CAT in the international community underlines the importance of the norm prohibiting torture in international law. SICHREM in Karnataka has documented 69 cases of illegal detention, torture, encounters(extra judicial killings), deaths in police & judicial custody from January 2011 to June 2011(6months), and has filed complaints with the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), courts of law, Government of Karnataka, the Police department and other human rights institutions. Sadly, the practice of torture remains a pervasive feature of Indias criminal justice system and society more widely. In this regard, it should be noted that instances of torture are not confined to police custody and interrogation situations. In a variety of other settings, particularly in the private sphere, vulnerable groups are subjected to standards of treatment which are no less severe than those meted out in police custody. Consider for example, the emotional and physical ordeal endured by women harassed and discrimination based on gender; the plight of young children forced into labor, subjected to verbal, physical and sexual abuse; the suffering caused by social boycotts on marginalized groups, and the severe inhumane forms of atrocities perpetrated by upper castes and law enforcement authorities on Dalits. It is a well known fact throughout the country that torture is prevalent, with the victims being largely drawn from the poor & marginalized in society. These examples serve to reinforce the prevalence of many forms of torture in our society and the need for effective mechanisms to eradicate torture. This being the statement and the theme, SICHREM in collaboration with St Josephs College and National Alliance for Testimonial Therapy (NATT) initiated a journey to create awareness for the benefit of the general public and students to know about evils of torture and the remedies available. DOCUMENTARY SCREENING A film screening on the issue of torture was organized in the college Campus the day before the march (June 24, 2011) with a view to motivating more people to stand up against torture. After the screening the floor was opened for clarifications, comments and questions. Several questions pertaining to the issue of torture, criminal justice system, how to control crime without torture, law and order, powers of police were raised. Answers to the questions were shared with several examples of cases of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment were cited to drive home the point

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MIME SHOWS The victims of torture often go unnoticed and are often unheard because of lack of awareness about the issue in society. In an attempt to bring about awareness about the issue among the students, the Centre for Social Concern (CSC), National Service Scheme (NSS) and Christian Students Association (CSA) organized a mime show and to also show what torture is, the effects and the forms it can take through a mime show at several locations in the college. Students eagerly watched as performers showed different aspects of torture.

WALK AGAINST TORTURE On Saturday June 25, 2011 over 150 students and human rights activists gathered at St Josephs college.Mr.R.Manohar, Head of Programs SICHREM welcomed the gathering and spelt out the purpose of the gathering and the significance of the day and specified and highlighted this years theme Torture is both a cause and effect of poverty Lets break the cycle. He also extolled them to raise their voices against torture and called for pledging solidarity with torture victims all over the world. He then invited Mr. Mathews Philip, Executive Director of SICHREM who with the words Stamp out torture, kick out torture! started the walk against torture .He also added that torture is against all norms in society and is an affront to the dignity of the self and the infliction leaves scars for a long time physically and mentally. The participants started the walk from St. Josephs Arts and Science College led by R.Manohar, Gladson, Azhar Khan starting at 5:00PM, passing through the main streets of the city with carrying placards on human rights, against torture, asking for ratification of CAT, for a domestic law on torture and the participants raised slogans stressing that torture can never be justified and continued to raise slogans till the destination point-the Town Hall. Candlelight vigil and Pledge To show that there is hope for torture victims, all the participants assembled for a candle light vigil at the end of the march and pledged solidarity. R.Manohar administered the pledge,

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PLEDGE th On this day, 26 June, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, I Solemnly Pledge to uphold Human Dignity in all forms and to respect rights of fellow beings, I recognize, uphold and acknowledge that; all humans are born free and have a right to live with dignity, I condemn all forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment and all inhuman acts that degrade others. I will not practice or participate directly or indirectly in any form of torture and other cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment and all inhuman acts that degrade others. I recognize, uphold, and acknowledge the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of all members of the human family that is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace. Poverty is both a cause and effect of torture. LETS BREAK THE CYCLE!

Demands Sent to the Prime Minster, Home and the Law Minster of Union Government SICHREM, St Josephs College and NATT demanded the following : 1) To ensure that an order from a superior officer or a public authority may not be invoked as justification for committing torture; 2) To provide an effective mechanism to promptly investigate any allegation of torture; 3) To provide victims of torture with the right to compensation through a statutory Bill of Rights for Victims and witnesses. And; 4) To ban the use of evidence obtained through torture in the courts. AND 1. The immediate ratification of the Convention against Torture without any reservations and the signing and ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention; 2. The passing of legislation which brings domestic violence within the definition of torture; 3. Specific safeguards protecting women, children, dalits and minorities, set out in legislation and strictly enforced through human rights institutions and court directions; A memorandum detailing the above was sent to the offices of the Prime Minster, the Law Minster and the home Minster. At the end of all the events and the candle light vigil, R.Manohar thanked all the participants for participating in the events and for coming together to show solidarity with torture victims and survivors. The organizers and the participants promised that the campaign against torture would continue through follow up programs, events and thereon and until a domestic law on torture is brought out.

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