Global Torture Index Webinar: How Civil Society Organisations Use the Index
On 25 June 2025, OMCT launched the Global Torture Index during the Global Week against Torture, a major milestone and the culmination of the two-year pilot phase.
With the Index now firmly established and over 80 partners engaged, the focus turns to its practical use, building on the momentum offered by the launch to set the print of an active community around the Index. The second Global Torture Index Webinar offered an opportunity to share practical examples, tools, and experiences to support advocacy, communications, and fundraising efforts. Participants explored how to integrate the Index into their work and exchange lessons learned.
Outcomes of the event
The webinar brought together over 50 participants from 18 countries across four continents, fostering a global exchange of experiences. It was built around three main pillars: updates on the Index; its advocacy and use; and its upcoming additions.
The objective of the event was to share experiences on how to effectively use the Global Torture Index in advocacy, communications, and fundraising activities. Partners exchanged concrete examples on engaging States and international bodies, reaching out to the media, and strengthening funding proposals. In addition, this webinar was an opportunity to encourage collaboration and cross-regional dialogue to build a stronger, evidence-based and innovative approach to advocacy and resource mobilisation ahead of the second edition of the Global Torture Index in June 2026.
The discussion featured speakers from OMCT and partners already involved in the implementation of the Index, such as Jerbert M. Briola from the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines and United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines, Honest Offor from Prisoners Rehabilitation And Welfare Action and Guy Valère Badanaro from Collectif des Associations Contre l'Impunité au Togo. Contributions from the OMCT team were presented by Cecilia de Armas Michelis (Global Torture Index Coordinator), Clarisse Fagard (Human Rights Officer, Global Torture Index), Radoš Piletić (Director of Development), Olga Guzman Vergara (Head of Regional Desk Americas), Carolina Nascimento (interim Global Torture Index Coordinator) and Helena Solà Martín (Director of Anti-torture programme).
Advocacy impact and visibility of the Index
The visibility of the Index was strengthened through national events hosted by partners organisations in nine countries (Tunisia, Malaysia, Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Togo, Benin and Nigeria). The Index was also referenced in media coverage across fourteen additional countries and presented in international settings, including a session of the UN Human Rights Council on Afghanistan. In addition, the Index factsheets were used as annexes to follow-up alternative reports concerning Honduras and to the List of Issues Prior to Reporting (LOIRP) for El Salvador, submitted to the UN Committee against Torture (CAT).
Partner experiences shared during the webinar
During the webinar, participants from three partner organisations shared how the Index supports their work in the fight against Torture at the national level. The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines highlighted how the Index has helped identify key areas of concern and critical gaps in the implementation of the Anti-Torture Act (Republic Act No. 9745). TFDP further emphasised that the Index serves as an important tool for strengthening coordination between government agencies, national human rights institution and civil society organisations.
Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, Nigeria, shared insights on how the Index supports fundraising efforts. In particular, the Index provides credible, evidence-based data required to access emergency support funding. In Togo, Collectif des Associations Contre l'Impunité au Togo shared its vision on the role of the Index in showing, every year, that countries need to respect their commitments, thus fighting against the lack of action and compliance from states. In this regard, the Index analyses several elements, such as the compliance with the Convention against Torture (CAT) and its Optional Protocol (OPCAT). These elements show the reality of the country to funders, and where their support is needed to provide specific solutions.
This event offered insights into how partners use and perceive the Index, while giving OMCT an opportunity to gather feedback and present the next steps of the initiative. This webinar is part of OMCT’s ongoing efforts to increase the visibility of the Index and strengthen collaboration with partners. In February, OMCT and its partners will organise a regional event in Brussels to discuss the Index’s findings on detention, borders and the use of force in Europe.
