International Day in Support of Victims of Torture- June 26

On June 26, 1987, the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Punishment or Treatment came into force, and since its 11th anniversary, on June 26, 1998, it has been commemorated as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

Part I - Article I of the Convention:
"For the purposes of this Convention, torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity."


More at:
Calling for US Accountability on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2010/06/27/calling-for-us-accountability-on-the-international-day-in-support-of-victims-of-torture/