International Day in Support of Victims of Torture; Antony Blinken: The U.S. Condemns Torture Anywhere and Anytime

On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the U.S. Secretary of State issued a statement reiterating America's condemnation of torture. Antony Blinken emphasized the 'courage, dignity, and humanity of victims and survivors of torture worldwide' in the statement released on Wednesday, June 26. He noted that 'despite the absolute prohibition of torture under international law, governments continue to use torture and other inhumane treatment as tools of repression against prisoners, human rights defenders, marginalized people, and dissenters.' The U.S. Secretary of State also stated that 'the United States condemns torture wherever and whenever it occurs' and added that 'the U.S. will continue to support rehabilitation and justice programs that help survivors heal through the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.' June 26 is recognized as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, marking the implementation of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 1987. According to this convention, torture is defined as any intentional act that causes severe physical or mental pain or suffering to an individual for obtaining information or confessions or as punishment. The Islamic Republic of Iran, North Korea, Equatorial Guinea, and Somalia are among the few countries that have not ratified this convention. In addition to various forms of torture in Iranian prisons, which international human rights organizations have repeatedly warned about, flogging and amputations are among the types of torture that the Iranian government imposes as punishment on certain prisoners. Furthermore, despite not signing the Convention Against Torture, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, explicitly stated on July 2 that 'judges should not refer to Western human rights principles in their rulings.' In response to Khamenei's remarks, several political prisoners warned that this stance is a 'serious alarm' regarding the expansion of human rights violations by the Islamic Republic. A new report from the UN Secretary-General indicates a 43% increase in executions in Iran in 2023. Javid Rahman described the massacre of political prisoners in the 1980s as 'crimes against humanity' and 'genocide.'