World Organisation Against Torture Mandate OMCT is engaged in the fight against torture, summary...

World Organisation Against Torture

MandateOMCT is engaged in the fight against torture, summary executions, forced disappearances and all other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. It is committed to assisting every human being who is a victim – or risks becoming a victim – of torture.

Prevention

Denouncing torture

Awareness raising

Providing support to victims

World Organisation Against Torture

OMCT’s VisionA global approach to torture based upon preventive action,

denunciation and reparation and redress.

OMCT’s StrengthOMCT Secretariat coordinates and works with the SOS-Torture

Network. With 294 members in over 90 countries, it is the largest international coalition of NGOs working against torture in the world.

OMCT’s ResultsIn 2008, OMCT issued urgent appeals for 696 cases in 78 different

countries. These involved 1,335 individuals (including human rights defenders) and 6 groups or communites composed of

several thousand victims. OMCT also provided medical, social and legal aid to 97 victims of torture from 22 countries around the

world. Of these, 14 were children.

Activities

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Urgent Campaigns

Violence Against Women Child Rights

Urgent Assistance to Victims of

Torture

State Compliance

Human Rights Defenders/

Observatory for the Protection of Human

Rights Defenders

available from www.omct.org


Report on the International Conference, October 2005

The Interdisciplinary Study

Poverty, Inequality and Violence

“to help prevent, reduce and eliminate violence, including torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment by acting on its economic, social and cultural root causes.”


Activities:

Working with national NGOs and expanding the NGO network;

Submitting alternative reports to United Nations treaty bodies;

Making urgent interventions and complaints to United Nations special procedures mandates, governments and others;

Supporting advocacy, lobbying and awareness raising;

Engaging the European Parliament and the European Union.

Discriminatory exclusion and inequitable distribution of wealth rest on the same prejudices and stereotypes that glorify or at least tolerate the infliction of ill treatment and violent attacks of all sorts. They are based on deeply rooted beliefs – explicit or not – that some are more deserving than others – more deserving of respect, rewards and protection.Louise Arbour, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

A comprehensive strategy to fight torture or prevent violence should […] address the socio-economic root causes of conflict and promote the respect of economic, social and cultural rights in addition to civil and political rights.Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General

The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture


Torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment and other forms of violence

Disrespect for economic, social and cultural rights


How are torture and other forms of violence related to economic, social and cultural rights?

The poor, excluded and other vulnerable groups – including women and children - are often the first and most numerous victims of violence, including torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.



Levels of violence in a given community or society can be such that individuals or groups are unable to enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights.



Violence is inflicted on persons because they demand respect for economic, social or cultural rights – their own or those of others



Denials of economic, social and cultural rights are carried out so violently as to be considered ill-treatment under international treaties.



Certain violations of economic, social or cultural rights can be characterized as cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, or in some cases a denial of the right to life.



Policies and programmes by governments, private actors or development and financial institutions can exacerbate poverty and inequalities and lead to increased levels of official, criminal and domestic violence.


Who are most vulnerable to torture and other forms of violence linked to the denial of economic, social and cultural rights?

•the poor or extremely poor

•women, especially those belonging to marginalised groups

•children, and especially children who have lost or been separated from their parents

•peasants and smallholders

•landless farmers and sharecroppers

•workers (including domestic workers)

•trade unionists

•forced labourers/slaves

•national minorities

•indigenous peoples (and their leaders)

•migrants and migrant workers

•refugees

•internally displaced persons

•persons with physical or mental disabilities

•people living with HIV/AIDS

•persons with dependency on alcohol or drugs

•elderly persons

•homosexuals and same sex couples

•persons belonging to disadvantaged sectors of society (discriminated castes, etc)

•persons in prison and pre-trial detention

•persons living in institutions


•Highlight the economic, social and cultural root causes of torture in alternative reports to the treaty bodies•Inform and support UN special procedures mechanisms•Monitor, document and disseminate specific cases (appeals and complaints)•Draw attention to iniquities in trade agreements, development projects etc.•Engage in advocacy, lobbying and awareness raising for specific target audiences (police, judiciary etc)•Advocate for effective implementation of legislation against torture, ill-treatment and corruption•Advocate with national governments to review legislation for vulnerable groups, ensure their adequate protection and minimise discrimination•Forge links between human rights NGOS and development NGOs

Some measures for addressing the root causes of torture

The World Organisation Against Torture

Thank you

World Organisation Against Torture Mandate OMCT is engaged in the fight against torture, summary...

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