Brussels, 26/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Thursday 26 June, the European Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, declared: “I would like to pay tribute to all the victims of acts of torture on all continents, as well as to all those who are deeply committed to fighting for the eradication of this barbaric practice. Torture is unacceptable and no situation can justify it. It is a violation of human dignity and an attack on fundamental rights. The prevention and eradication of all forms of torture and other ill treatment are one of the European Union's major objectives in human rights, and are one of the fundamental values of our society. Under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), we have spent on average €11 million per year in support of torture prevention and rehabilitation projects, all over the world. This instrument makes the European Union the lead global donor in this field. The European Union is committed to continuing these efforts to curb the use of such barbaric practices, and to obtaining recognition of and reparations for acts committed”.
The presidents of the European Parliament committee on human rights and the national parliaments have also published a joint declaration demanding an absolute ban on tolerating or authorising torture. The declaration, which is co-signed by Hélène Flautre, the president of the EP sub-committee on human rights, points out the “absolute ban on the use of torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading punishments or treatment”. In their declaration, the parliamentarians advocate “the creation, in Europe, of a broad area exempt from torture or ill treatment”. They also demand that states, whatever the circumstances, should not expel a person to a country where there is a risk of torture or ill treatment, “and in particular that the member states should fully respect human rights in the fight against terrorism and illegal immigration”. They also regret the fact that only 9 member states have ratified the protocol to the convention against torture. France is not one of them. (O.J/A.B./transl.fl)