K. Joint statement on the occasion of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 17. The following joint statement was adopted to be issued on 26 June 2004, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: “The United Nations Committee against Torture, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the question of torture, the Chairperson of the twenty-second session of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and the Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights make the following statement on the occasion of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: “We wish to take this opportunity to express our serious concern about continuing reports of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment taking place in many parts of the world. “There is an absolute prohibition of torture under international human rights and humanitarian law. The non-derogable nature of this prohibition is enshrined in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as well as in several other instruments. States must take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under their jurisdiction and no exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war, or a threat of war, internal political instability, or any other public emergency may be invoked as a justification of torture. “Under international law States also have the duty to investigate torture whenever it occurs, prosecute the guilty parties and award compensation and the means of rehabilitation to the victims. Too often, public authorities are remiss in fulfilling their duties in this respect, allowing torture to continue to occur with impunity. “On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we pay tribute to all Governments, organizations of civil society and individuals who are engaged in activities aimed at preventing torture, punishing it and ensuring that all victims obtain redress and have an enforceable right to fair and adequate compensation, including the means for as full a rehabilitation as possible. We also express our gratitude to all donors to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and hope that contributions to the Fund will continue to increase, so that more victims of torture and members of their families can receive the assistance they need.” Note 1 The lists of issues can be consulted on the web site of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, www.unhchr.org. 11