EU & OSCE - Statement on victims of torture

On the occasion of the upcoming United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June, the European Union underlines the primary importance of global prevention and eradication of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The EU hopes that participating States and the OSCE will suitably mark this day and use it as an occasion to speak up against torture, to be mindful of those who suffer under it and to pay tribute to those who combat torture and help victims overcome the physical and psychological pain.

We reiterate our appeal to those few participating States who have not yet done so to ratify the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. We support the prompt adoption of an Optional Protocol establishing an independent and effective global monitoring mechanism under the auspices of the UN Committee Against Torture.

Further, we call upon states to take advantage of the possibility now open also to states not members of the Council of Europe to accede to the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture.

It is important to remember, however, that subscribing to these international standards is not enough. In spite of the strong global consensus on the prohibition against torture, there is an urgent need for practical implementation of these standards. The EU underscores the need for more intensive and concerted action at national, regional and international level, towards the goal of global eradication of torture.

In this context, we would like to inform the Permanent Council that the EU in April adopted a set of Guidelines for an EU policy to combat torture. These guidelines provide an operational tool for the EU to intervene in cases of torture and step up its efforts to further reinforce respect for international norms and standards.

In the OSCE context, we recall existing commitments to prohibit, prevent, prosecute and punish the use of torture, as reaffirmed in the Istanbul Charter. We support ongoing OSCE work in this area, particularly the activities of ODIHR, including the ODIHR Expert Panel on the Prevention of Torture.

The associated Countries, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Turkey subscribe to this statement.

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