The International Bar Association stands up against torture

31 May 2017

As the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture approaches, 26 June, the International Bar Association (IBA) is standing up with the UN Human Rights Office to jointly advocate for the eradication of this illegal and inhuman practice.

“As legal professionals, it is our responsibility to condemn the use of torture in all jurisdictions; to promote the use of existing rules and protocols for its prevention along the chain of custody; and to strengthen institutions and national, regional and international standards to prevent and punish torture. It is in all of our interests to protect the basic rights of detainees” states Mark Ellis, Executive Director of IBA.

On 31 May 2017, we are launching a campaign to mobilise widely against torture, and we want you to join us by taking the following actions:

1. Get inspired by reading the stories of legal professionals fighting impunity and the moving narratives by individuals who have personally suffered torture.
2. Spread the word against torture by posting on your social media accounts ready-to-share ‘quote cards’ of many renowned advocates.
3. If you are in London on 26 June 2017, please register to attend a high-profile lunchtime discussion that includes Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein; Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, British barrister and member of the House of Lords; Juan E Mendez, former UN Special Rapporteur on torture; and Beatrice Mtetwa, ‘Zimbabwe's top human rights lawyer,’ as described by the New York Times.

At a time when the absolute prohibition of torture is being routinely challenged across the globe, this partnership with IBA is an important initiative to reaffirm this inhuman practice is a severe violation of human rights that can never be justified.

Please join us and together, let’s stand up against torture.

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