(26 June 09 - RV) '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.”
This according to Article 2
of the United Nations Convention on Torture, which has been ratified by nearly two
thirds of the worlds nations.
Unfortunately, torture is still a reality in
today’s world even in nation states that have signed the convention.
Sylvie
Bukhari-de Pontual is President of FIACAT, the International Federation of Action
by Christians against Torture who spoke to us on behalf of victims of torture.