Voices for Human Dignity: 40 Years of the Anti-Torture Convention

Over the past four decades, we have achieved significant milestones in raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, supporting victims, and holding perpetrators accountable. Yet, the fight against torture is far from over, marked by enduring challenges such as impunity, reparation gaps, and evolving forms of torture.

Ending torture demands a collective effort from governments, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and individuals globally. As we mark the 40th anniversary of the Convention Against Torture, it is vital to redouble our efforts to eradicate torture in all its forms across the globe.

To celebrate this anniversary, the United Against Torture Consortium (UATC) has launched a multimedia initiative, ‘Voices for Human Dignity’, which highlights the stories and views of torture experts, survivors and human rights defenders, underlining the resilience, hard work and empowerment of those directly affected by torture and those working tirelessly to prevent it in different parts of the world.

All the products related to this multimedia initiative can be found below.

Reflecting on 40 years of the Convention against torture and way forward – What does it mean to them?

- “Torture destroys communities" - Interview with Dr Alice Edwards, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

- Bahrain: “The scar on my forehead is a painful reminder of torture” - Interview with Sayed Alwadaei, a torture survivor and human rights activist from Bahrain.

- “The last 40 years have seen remarkable progress in the fight against torture” - Interview with Juan Méndez, former Special Rapporteur on Torture.

- The Eradication of Torture: The Moral Conscience of Humanity - Interview with Assohou Wanga Wenceslas, Ivorian Activist and former president of ACAT Côte d'Ivoire.

- “A new dawn for Bangladesh” - Interview with Saira Rahman Khan, Secretary of Odhikar, and human rights defender from Bangladesh.

- "Torture is the ultimate abuse of state power over its citizens" - Interview with Olog Skoog, EU Special Representative for Human Rights.

- "Looking back on 40 years of fight against torture" - Interview with Claude Heller, Chair of the Committee Against Torture

What does the Convention entails?

Gain deeper insight into the Convention Against Torture by hearing directly from survivors as we explore its key articles together.

Article 1

- Regime of abuse: Police torture in Putin’s Russia - testimony of Artem Ponomarchuk, torture survivor from Russia.

Article 10

- Voices for Human Dignity: Uganda survivor's journey of resilience - testimony of Arach Santa Mulare, torture survivor from Uganda.

Article 11

- Palestine: "After Four Years, I Can Face My Interrogator Without Fear." - testimony of Suha Jabara, torture survivor from Palestine.

Article 12

- In the Philippines, Telling the Truth is a Challenge - testimony of Doctor Benito Molino, forensic expert from the Philippines.

Article 13

- "I Was More Scared When I Got Released" - testimonies of Prado and Saucelo, you torture survivors from the Philippines.

Article 14

- "When You Share Your Story, That's When the Healing Begins" - testimony of Shyhrete Tahiri-Sylejmani, torture survivor from Kosovo.

Article 14

- "I am still useful to society" - testimony of Betty Amony, torture survivor from Uganda.

Article 15

- "There is Much Left to Do" - testimony of Oswaldo Rodriguez, torture survivor from Mexico.

To learn more about the Consortium and what we do, watch the video below:

This content was produced by the #UnitedAgainstTorture Consortium (OMCT, IRCT, FIACT, APT, OMEGA and REDRESS), funded by the EU. The contents are the sole responsibility of UATC and do not necessarily reflect the position of the EU.