FIACAT appeals to Christian Churches for ‘total condemnation’ of torture

(June 26, 2009) “An appeal to all the Christian Churches to publicly take position for a total and unconditional condemnation of torture” was made by FIACAT, the International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture, on the occasion of the Day in Support of the Victims of Torture that was marked on Friday, June 26. In a release for the occasion, FIACAT said “It is urgent for Christians to reject any argument aimed at legitimizing torture”, which is still “practiced in over a half of the world’s countries and which breaches “an inviolable right of the human person, its physical, mental and moral integrity. FIACAT said torture destroys the very foundation of human rights and , human dignity, as proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To commemorate all the victims of torture, the night between June 27th and 28th, 11 countries, including Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Benin, Senegal and Switzerland, will hold a vigil which believers of all confessions are invited to attend.