26 June 2003
U.S. Says Prohibition of Torture a Basic Principle of International Law
(Statement on U.N. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture)
(440)
The United States views the prohibition of torture as a basic
principle of international law, not subject to negotiation or
compromise, according to a State Department press release on the
occasion of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims
of Torture.
The United States helps the advance toward a world free of torture by
a number of means, including a $5 million contribution to the UN
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, says the statement.
Following is the text of the statement:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
June 26, 2003
Statement By Richard Boucher, Spokesman
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE
June 26 is the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims
of Torture, commemorating the date in 1987 when the UN Convention
Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment came into force. The United States became a party to that
Convention in 1994 and there are now 132 parties.
The prohibition of torture is a basic principle of international law,
and is not subject to negotiation or compromise. The United States not
only condemns and prohibits torture, but also urges other countries to
abide by the prohibition of torture.
The United States helps the advance toward a world free of torture by
a number of means, including a $5 million contribution to the UN
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. In addition, we support torture
victims' treatment centers in the U.S. and abroad, provide funds to
the Center for the Victims of Torture's global project on New Tactics
on Human Rights, and press for progress through our bilateral
diplomacy. The Department of State's annual Country Reports on Human
Rights Practices report impartially and forthrightly on incidents of
torture worldwide. The Department's new report Supporting Human Rights
and Democracy: The U.S. Record, released this week, details what we
are doing around the world to address the worst human rights abuses,
including torture. These efforts engage both governmental and
non-governmental organizations and promote effective action in the
fight to end this scourge and assist victims and their families.
We continue to be appalled by the actions of governments that use
torture or turn a blind eye to its occurrence. They may try to escape
international scrutiny and accountability for their actions, but as
long as torturers around the world spread fear and suffering, the
United States will not waver in its commitment to eliminate torture.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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