Global Fight Against Torture - OMCT's Impact & Approach

1. World Organisation Against Torture Mandate OMCT 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 Denouncingtorture Awareness raising Providing support to victims

2. World Organisation Against Torture OMCT’s Vision A global approach to torture based upon preventive action, denunciation and reparation and redress. OMCT’s Strength OMCT 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 Results In 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.

3. Activities Urgent Assistance to Victims of Torture Urgent Campaigns Violence Against Women Child Rights State Compliance Human Rights Defenders/ Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

4. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Poverty, Inequality and Violence Report on the International Conference, October 2005 The Interdisciplinary Study available from www.omct.org

5. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • 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. “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.”

6. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture 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

7. 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

8. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture 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.

9. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture How are torture and other forms of violence related to economic, social and cultural rights? 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.

10. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture How are torture and other forms of violence related to 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

11. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture How are torture and other forms of violence related to economic, social and cultural rights? Denials of economic, social and cultural rights are carried out so violently as to be considered ill-treatment under international treaties.

12. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture How are torture and other forms of violence related to economic, social and cultural rights? 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.

13. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture How are torture and other forms of violence related to economic, social and cultural rights? 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.

14. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture Who are most vulnerable to torture and other forms of violence linked to the denial of economic, social and cultural rights? • indigenous peoples (and their leaders) • the poor or extremely poor • landless farmers and sharecroppers • workers (including domestic workers) • persons in prison and pre-trial detention • women, especially those belonging to marginalised groups • trade unionists • internally displaced persons • migrants and migrant workers • people living with HIV/AIDS • persons with dependency on alcohol or drugs • national minorities • children, and especially children who have lost or been separated from their parents • persons with physical or mental disabilities • peasants and smallholders • refugees • forced labourers/slaves • elderly persons • homosexuals and same sex couples • persons living in institutions • persons belonging to disadvantaged sectors of society (discriminated castes, etc)

15. The Economic, Social and Cultural Root Causes of Torture Some measures for addressing the root causes of torture • 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

16. The World Organisation Against Torture Thank you