Annual Report 2024
11

Strengthening the Network and Movement

UATC

In 2024, the United Against Torture Consortium (UATC), established in June 2023, demonstrated yet again the power of partnership in defending the absolute prohibition of torture. We reflected on a year of existence and, strengthened by positive results, we continued our joint work. In one year, the six leading anti-torture organizations within the Consortium supported 7,000 victims with legal, medical, or social assistance, funded 55 local projects, and enabled 80+ civil society organisations to engage with the UN Committee against Torture. It has also provided rapid responses to crises and tackled the issue of torture in the context of protest. Its collective expertise and vast network of partners ensured that survivors’ voices and anti-torture efforts remain heard at the highest political levels.

OMCT and Human Rights Defenders Partnerships

With the support of the European Union, OMCT facilitated the participation of a defender from El Salvador at the OHCHR-European Parliament event, “A Spotlight on Human Rights Defenders,” and participated in the Observatory Intermechanism meeting on environmental human rights defenders.

OMCT continues to participate in the EU Visas Working Group and the European Temporary Relocation Platform both steered by PD.eu Secretariat.

OMCT also contributed to the steering committee of the Vuka! Coalition, the OHCHR Community of Practice, and the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition. As part of this engagement, OMCT supported the WHRD International Coalition’s “Spreading the Echo” campaign, amplifying the voices of women human rights defenders worldwide. These efforts reinforce collective action to protect and support HRDs globally.

In 2024, we were proud to welcome five new SOS-Torture Network members, bolstering our joint efforts to combat torture and uphold human rights worldwide.

Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN)

In August 2004, 24 human rights organizations registered the Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN) in Afghanistan. CSHRN focuses on promoting women's roles in peace and security, conflict transformation, reducing domestic violence, and ensuring access to information for minorities.

Civil Society and Human Rights network (CSHRN)

Afghanistan Democracy and Development Organisation (ADDO)

The Afghanistan Democracy and Development Organisation (ADDO) was founded in 2013 in Kabul, Afghanistan, as a human rights organization dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights through research, advocacy, capacity building, awareness campaigns, and digital rights initiatives.

Afghanistan Democracy and Development Organisation (ADDO)

Collectif contre l’impunité et la stigmatisation des communautés au Burkina Faso (CISC)

The Collective Against Impunity and Stigmatization of Communities (CISC) is a Burkinabe organization founded in 2019 by a coalition of civil society organizations and individuals committed to peace and social justice. Its mission is to combat injustice in all its forms and to promote, protect, and defend the rights of all Burkinabe citizens without distinction.

Collectif contre l’impunité et la stigmatisation des communautés au Burkina Faso (CISC)

Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca Más

The Colectivo de Derechos Humanos Nicaragua Nunca Más consists of human rights defenders who fled Nicaragua in April 2019 due to persecution after exposing abuses by the authoritarian regime. Operating in exile from Costa Rica, the Colectivo continues to defend human rights amid increasing reports of torture, ill-treatment, and illegal detentions in Nicaragua.

Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca Más

Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR)

The Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR) is a Ukrainian NGO that combines journalism and human rights protection to uncover Russian war crimes in Ukraine and to respond to human rights violations related to the Russian aggression. Their main activities are investigating war crimes, including torture, forcible disappearances, improper detention of prisoners of war, and monitoring war trials in Russian-occupied territories.

Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR)