United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
About
United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed on June 26. This important day stands in solidarity with people who have endured torture and honors their strength, courage, and resilience. It also reaffirms the fundamental principle that torture is never acceptable, under any circumstances.
The observance calls attention to the lasting physical and emotional effects of torture and the need for survivors to receive compassionate care, justice, rehabilitation, and support. June 26 offers an opportunity to learn more, speak out against abuse, and help build a world where every person’s dignity and human rights are respected.
History
The **United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture** is observed annually on **June 26**. The date commemorates the entry into force, on June 26, 1987, of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. That treaty established a major international framework for preventing torture, requiring states to criminalize it, investigate credible allegations, and provide remedies for victims.
The observance itself was established by the UN General Assembly through Resolution 52/149, adopted on December 12, 1997. The resolution designated June 26 as a day to support the worldwide effort to eliminate torture and to ensure that the Convention against Torture is implemented effectively. It also called attention to the work of the United Nations, governments, human-rights organizations, and other groups assisting people who have survived torture.
Over time, June 26 has developed into an occasion for remembrance, public education, and advocacy. Governments and organizations use the day to highlight survivors’ experiences, call for accountability, and promote access to medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, and rehabilitation. Its focus has also broadened from condemning individual acts of abuse to addressing the conditions that allow torture to occur, including impunity, secret detention, forced confessions, and the mistreatment of people in custody.
Culturally, the day gives international visibility to victims and survivors whose suffering may otherwise remain hidden. It emphasizes that torture is prohibited under international law and that no emergency, conflict, security claim, or political circumstance can justify it. By combining commemoration with practical support and human-rights advocacy, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture affirms the dignity of survivors and reinforces the global commitment to prevent torture and end impunity.