International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, June 26, is a painful reminder every year of the increasing number of victims of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, but at the same time calls on solidarity and support for all those who have went through the process of torture and denial of human dignity.

CIVIL – Center for Freedom strongly condemns any attempt to brutally trample on human rights and freedoms, the denial of human dignity and physical violence. Macedonia is not deprived from torture, and according to the latest findings, the prisons are in an alarming situation for which the institutions have to react urgently, especially after the increased number of deaths. Political prisoners, beaten journalists, abuse and violence against children, and hate speech are just a small portion of the violence in the country that CIVIL has noted in the past year.

We call for a quicker reaction of the competent institutions for taking responsibility and solving every case of trampled human rights and freedoms. At the same time, we call for greater involvement of the institutions in the implementation of the measures for preventing violence.

Torture is a crime under international law, which is binding on all members of the international community, regardless of whether a State has ratified international treaties, to fight against the systematic practice of torture, that is, crimes against humanity.

It is precisely the wars, refugee migrations and thus the closing of borders, as a national security measure, that leave room for the spreading of inhuman treatment, allowing torture and violence to become rooted in practice.

Amnesty International launched a campaign against torture #StopTorture 30 years ago, in support of the victims around the world, and for raising public awareness about the severity of the consequences, not only for the victims, but also for entire generations led by the idea that violence is a way to achieve a certain goal.

This year, the  OHCHR (UN Human Rights), jointly with the International Bar Association, is organizing a high-level panel discussion at the King’s College in London, with the purpose of determining absolute prohibition of torture, which will be led by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

On December 12, 1997, by Resolution 52/149, the UN General Assembly proclaimed June 26 the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with the purpose of total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

CIVIL is calling on all citizens not to be silent, to be bold and decisive in demanding responsibility from the institutions, not only as victims of brutality and inhumanity, but also as witnesses of torture and violence.

It is high time for us to be loud in the fight for human rights and freedoms.

It is high time we say NO to torture and violence!