U.N. officials call for torture prevention

NEW YORK, June 26 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on nations to provide support for victims of torture and help with global prevention.

Ki-moon made a statement in support of victims of torture and asked countries to commit to fighting torture in accordance with Tuesday's observance of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, a U.N. press release said.

"In some cases, this is part of a deliberate state policy of instilling fear and intimidating its population," Ban said. "In too many countries, people's legitimate demands for freedom and human rights are met with brutal repression. Even when regimes change, torture often persists and a culture of impunity remains."

The Board of Trustees of the Fund, the U.N. Committee Against Torture, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, in human or degrading treatment or punishment released a joint statement, emphasizing victims of torture should not be punished for seeking aid from the hundreds of rehabilitation centers the United Nations provides.

"It is imperative that states translate their commitment to the fight against torture with measures that guarantee that victims and human rights advocates engaging with the United Nations mechanisms against torture will not be subjected to reprisals and re-victimization," the joint statement said.