Definition of Torture according to the United Nations Convention Against Torture

Why Campaign against Torture? Reason is: Jesus himself was tortured

Whoever tortures a human being,
Whoever abuses a human being,
Whoever outrages a human being
Abuses God's image,
And the church takes as its own
That cross, that martyrdom.
(Archbishop Romero of El Salvador, murdered in 1980 because of his support for the poor and suffering people of his country)

The International Prayer Vigil - June 23rd 2012

Background

On 12 December 1997, by resolution 52/149, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture. Torture seeks to annihilate the victim’s personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. The United Nations has condemned torture from the outset as one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellows.

The first International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was held on June 26, 1998. It was a day when the United Nations appealed to all governments and members of civil society to take action to defeat torture and torturers everywhere.

Organizations, including Amnesty International and FIACAT have played an active role in organizing events around the world to promote this day. Activities may include: photo exhibitions; the distribution of posters and other material to boost people’s awareness of issues related to human torture; and prayer vigil.

ACAT France, member of FIACAT, initiated a Prayer Vigil seven years ago (called “La nuit des veilleurs”). ACAT UK has taken part in this action the last five years. Last year, thirty countries round the world were united on this one night in prayer.

The annual theme: <<A still small voice >>

Each year has it particular theme. For 2012, the theme is "the still small voice", 1 Kings v 14. Elijah has fled in fear of his life into the wilderness after he has drawn upon himself the wrath of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. He is in despair and wanting to die when the Lord speaks to him and tells him to go to the top of a mountain. He then shows him that he, the Lord is not in the wind, earthquake or fire but in the still small voice or as it is translated in the Good News Bible – in the soft whisper of a voice. He then lays upon him an enormous task - anointing Jehu as the new king of Israel and Elisha as the prophet in his stead, with all that implied. He also gives him the knowledge that he is not alone, as he had thought, but that there were many others who were still faithful to the one true God.

The imprisoned and tortured together with their families, so often have no voice not even one which speaks in whispers. It is left to others – human rights campaigners - to speak on their behalf, to be their voice and to bring their plight to the world and to us. We give thanks for them and remember the campaigners, themselves arrested, tortured and whose voices are silenced.

The Lord speaks to each of us but so often amid the clamour of our lives, we do not hear his whisper, or if we do, we do not recognise it. If we do, we say to ourselves we will deal with it later, when we have time and then so often forget about it. In a soft gentle voice the Lord calls each one of us and lays upon us a commission to be the voice of the voiceless, to campaign and pray for the tortured and for their families. We can answer his call in company with others and join with thousands of Christians round the world in a great wave of prayer.

The main picture: "The girl with the gag"

This girl is denied the right to speak but she has still a “small voice”. If only we took a moment, in our busy life, to listen and understand these dramatic and intolerable situations of barbarism; OUR WORLD WILL BE MORE PEACEFUL AND HUMAN DIGNITY RESPECTED.

Each one of us can make a difference

God has no other voice than ours. Alone or in groups it is time to support the victims of torture. Why not join with others Christians in this international action? Each one of us can make a difference praying for a few minutes at home, lighting candles and interceding for individual victims, meeting with friends, asking your minister for a specific prayer at Sunday services etc. Any and all participation will be welcome.
Two people concerned about torture share their commitment.

Terry (80 year-old, ex-chairman of ACAT UK): "I have been involved with ACAT since the beginning in 1984. At home, my wife Eleanor and I, use the prayer material twice during the night of the Vigil. We find it incredibly moving especially when we read out the names of torture victims and light a candle for each one as a symbol of the many thousands tortured through the world".

Emilie (26 year-old, French woman, volunteer in ACAT UK): "I’d already been concerned about human rights before I became involved with ACAT. As a lot of young people it took me some time to find out how I could make a difference. When I came to England I learn about the International Prayer Vigil. For me, it is so important to know that during this night I won’t be the only one praying for the victims and their families. I think I’m going to invite some friends at home to speak about this scourge of torture".

Resources

Some prayer materials (pdfs) you need can be downloaded below:

A service with names and the lighting of candles
Prayers and meditation for Group and individual use
A list of named individuals
The leaflet
The poster to publicize your event
The press release

Facebook has become an integral part of our communication strategy. We’ve recently created a Facebook Fan Page so do not hesitate to join us (ACAT UK) and we will be delighted to promote your event or action for the Prayer Vigil on our wall.

For enquiries and requests: