International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture
In a statement to mark International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture the FCO’s Minister for Human Rights, Baronness Warsi reaffirmed the UK’s support for torture victims.
Foreign Commonwealth Office
In a statement to mark International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture the FCO’s Minister for Human Rights, Baronness Warsi reaffirmed the UK’s support for torture victims. Senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi said:
“On this day (26 June) in 1987, the United Nations Convention Against Torture came into force. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture reminds us that torture remains a global problem. The UK has consistently and unreservedly condemned the use of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and recognises that the impact on victims, their families and their communities is devastating. International action against torture has long been, and continues to be, a priority for the UK and the UK will continue to combat torture through our own initiatives and project work and through international efforts.
Speaking in Baghdad the British Ambassador to Iraq, HE Simon Collis said;
“International Day in Support of Victims of Torture reminds us that torture is a global problem, but it is a problem that all states can help resolve. Iraq has already shown a commitment to addressing this problem by ratifying the UN Convention Against Torture. Iraq’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) would send a strong signal of Iraq’s commitment to prevent torture and its respect for human rights.”