A Message from our President

The global human rights movement is going through its darkest moment, and the international human rights order itself is under threat. Now more than ever, we must preserve the key consensus that torture is never acceptable. This has been the hardest year after the end of the cold war: civic space is shrinking, organizations are closing, and brave people on the frontlines are being silenced, jailed, or forced into exile. Funding is drying up just as crises multiply and deepen, leaving victims more alone than ever and those who defend them more exposed. Supporting human rights today is a basic condition for any society that wants safety, justice, and dignity for everyone.

A Year of Deepening Crises

In many places around the globe, the absolute prohibition of torture is being eroded before our eyes. The list is long; what follows is only a glimpse. In Sudan, civilians face torture, other forms of violence and displacement, while human rights defenders (HRDs) risk their lives for speaking out. In Gaza, the world has witnessed not only crimes against humanity, but also the effects of torture on released prisoners. Burundi continues to see disappearances and torture with near-total impunity. People on the move endure torture along deadly migration routes from Tunisia to Libya. In Georgia, democratic backsliding crushes protesters and civil society. El Salvador’s state of emergency normalizes mass arrests, and in Iran, protests are met with lethal force, targeting women defenders. These clearly show that the ban on torture is under attack.

Standing Together or Falling Apart

In this context, standing alone is not an option. Our new OMCT Strategy 2025-2029, adopted by the General Assembly in June 2025, is built on a simple truth: only a strong, global anti-torture movement can turn the tide. Our SOS-Torture Network grew by 24 new members in 2025, bringing in organizations that work in the toughest environments. Together with consortia like the United Against Torture Consortium (UATC), PD.EU, and the Observatory, we ensure no defender or victim stands alone.

In June 2025, OMCT organised the the Global Week Against Torture which brought together over 2,000 people from 67 organizations for 31 sessions in 11 languages. For many, it was a chance to feel part of something bigger.

Turning Data into Pressure: The Global Torture Index and SOS Defenders Database

During the Global Week Against Torture, OMCT launched the Global Torture Index, an evidence-based, powerful tool measuring the risk of torture in different countries around the globe and turning evidence into pressure for change.

In 2025, our SOS-Defenders Database documented 444 detained HRDs, contributing to over 41 releases. These are people who have walked free, opening the door to renewed hope thanks to our collective action.

Lives Changed

In 2025, OMCT carried out 215 protection interventions for 261 HRDs in 62 countries. 65 NGOs brought cases of torture, from Burundi to El Salvador, to the UN Committee Against Torture. In Tunisia, 183 new SANAD beneficiaries received psychological, medical, social, and legal support. These numbers tell a story of lives changed: each statistic representing a face, a voice, and a journey transformed by our collective action.

Looking Ahead: A Call from the Heart

As the human rights movement faces its hardest moment, we stand at a crossroads: accept torture and fear as the price of so-called “stability,” or rise together and shatter that lie forever. The global anti-torture movement is stronger than ever, fueled by survivors who speak out, defenders who face threats yet persist, and our SOS-Torture Network connecting across borders. Thanks to our partners and donors, we are not alone. From the bottom of my heart, I believe a world without torture and with a rule-base order is possible, and it is our collective duty to make it a reality now more than ever.

— Claudia Samayoa,
OMCT's President