1503rd Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (1 July 2024) - EU Statement on the occasion of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June

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1503rd Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies (1 July 2024) - EU Statement on the occasion of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June

01.07.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the COUNCIL OF EUROPE in Strasbourg

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture provides us with an opportunity to reaffirm our strong commitment to preventing and eradicating torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Sadly, this commitment remains acutely relevant in the Council of Europe where the use of torture is still reported in the territory of member states.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is the most glaring example of ongoing widespread and systematic use of torture across Ukraine as documented by various international mechanisms including the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU),the International Commission of Inquiry and the OSCE Moscow Mechanism.

We strongly condemn the ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. We stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors in Ukraine, as well as their families and communities affected. Those responsible must be held to account.

The prohibition of torture is absolute and unconditional, as follows from Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. All Member States of the Council of Europe have an obligation to prevent acts of torture, prosecute perpetrators, identify victims, and ensure effective redress. However, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment continue to be used, particularly in places of detention, and during interrogation or police custody.

The EU commends the work of the Council of Europe's European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) in the fight against torture and takes note of its latest annual report.

In closing, we jointly reaffirm our clear commitment to upholding the absolute prohibition of torture and to stepping up our efforts to end its use. We will ensure that the topic remains high on the agenda of the Council of Europe, and we will continue our joint efforts to end impunity for acts of torture.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro,North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, United Kingdom.