WARSAW, 26 June 2023 – For victims to overcome the profound impact of torture on their lives, ensuring their right to redress and all it entails is crucial, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

“The effects suffered by torture victims are devastating and long-term,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Physical scars may heal, but the psychological and emotional traces of this horrendous abuse may haunt victims for the rest of their lives. This makes it all the more important that victims are treated with compassion and respect and their individual needs for assistance are met.”

All victims have the right to redress and access to justice under international law.  Measures include adequate compensation for the suffering caused by their ordeal, medical care and psychological support, and legal assistance. OSCE countries have emphasized that no circumstance whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency can justify torture.

While states have the primary responsibility to ensure the right of victims to redress is respected, civil society also plays a crucial and complementary role. It is therefore important for governments to work together with these organizations and help enable their work, with the common goal of making sure that all torture victims have access to the services they need.

Holding perpetrators to account is a key aspect of redress for victims, but any investigation into allegations of torture and ill-treatment must be careful to take the victim’s safety and well-being into account. When interviewing victims about the abuse they suffered, a trauma-informed approach is therefore vital. For this reason, ODIHR has developed an online course for investigators and civil society organisations working on this difficult task, which is available in English, Russian and Ukrainian.

Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are prohibited worldwide. In 2020, all 57 states of the OSCE recognized that an integrated approach that puts the victim at its centre is needed to combat these crimes effectively. Ensuring the views and specific needs of victims are heard is crucial to fully restore their dignity and assist them on the road to recovery.