The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, provided for the first international prohibition of torture, and successive human rights treaties have built on this provision.
However, six decades later, greater efforts are needed to prevent torture, punish the perpetrators and ensure adequate assistance for victims, six UN entities that deal with the issue said ahead of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture observed on June 28.
Noting that women fall victim to torture in a number of ways, as highlighted by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's global campaign to end violence against women, launched in February, they said gender-specific violence clearly comes under the ambit of the Convention against Torture.
"Certain forms of gender-specific violence perpetrated by State actors, by private individuals or organizations, clearly amount to torture and it is now recognized that gender-specific violence falls within the definition of Convention against Torture," a statement said.
They also called for strengthening the global campaign to end violence against women by widening scope of prevention, protection, justice and reparation for victims, including access to international assistance.
In addition, they appealed for increased contributions to UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture which distributes funds to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and treatment centres to assist victims and their families.