The fight against torture: a priority for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals
Vincennes, 26 June 2019 - On this international day in support of victims of torture, FIACAT and its network recall the importance of including the fight against torture in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Member States of the United Nations have committed to implement 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. While the fight against torture is not expressly mentioned in this list, this fight must not be forgotten since the defence of human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals are inextricably linked.
Goal 16 states, inter alia, that States must "promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels". The principle of good governance defended by this objective is at the heart of the fight against torture and is a prerequisite for the implementation of all the Sustainable Development Goals.
Indeed, the persistence of torture throughout the world is due in particular to the impunity that often accompanies these acts. The lack of independence and impartiality of the judiciary, corruption or the lack of competent personnel are all factors that contribute to this impunity. To combat this effectively, it is essential to create and defend effective, accountable and transparent institutions to ensure equal access to justice for all, including the most vulnerable, and thus enable victims of torture to obtain full reparation.
In this regard, it is essential that States, in partnership with civil society, strive to strengthen, through initial and in-service training, the capacities of all actors in the criminal justice system on the administration of justice and human rights in general and on the absolute prohibition of torture and judicial safeguards in particular.
Press contacts:
- FIACAT: fiacat@fiacat.org / +33 (0)1 58 64 10 47
