1st DECEMBER 2012 on the occasion of the Human Rights Day, the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) began a chain of events to draw the attention of the world to the negative sides of torture. One of the events tagged: “flash mob” was organized on Saturday, December 1st, 3 pm, at place du Molard (in front of Globus), in Geneva.

Participant came with red umbrellas and stood still for few minutes while a group of actors illustrated in a scenic way the importance of the absolute prohibition from torture and ill-treatment. An eye witness account said: “The world stood still when the bell rang at 3 o’clock”.

The Secretary General of OMCT General Gerald Staberock, took the floor and recalled the importance to mobilize against all forms of torture and ill-treatment. “In the coming ten days we will highlight the role of 10 persons fighting against torture in their respective country in order to raise awareness of one of the most serious and persistent violations of rights”, said Gerald Staberock, Secretary General of the OMCT. “These men and women stand for many examples around the world of civil society organizations and individuals working against torture often under difficult and dangerous circumstances and requiring our support”, he added.

“Nobody should remain indifferent before this barbaric practice”, added Anne–‐Laurence Lacroix, OMCT Deputy Secretary General. “Torture and ill–‐treatment remain a widespread practice around the world and often in places that are closer to you than you would think”, she stressed. Torture and ill-treatment continue to occur all over the world and these human rights violations remain too often unpunished.

Human Rights Defenders are the voice of those who are deprived of it because they are victims of torture, ill-treatment or summary execution. OMCT has been supporting their brave fight for several years. From the 1st to the 10th of December, the Organization has decided to bring to light the struggle of these women and men against torture, by illustrating the challenges and the obstacles they face and the hopes and disappointments they encounter in their everyday life. OMCT has arranged to introduce the globe to 10 portraits over 10 days through faces representing five continents.

Therefore, from the 1st to the 10th of December, the OMCT will together with members of its global network ‘SOS torture’ introduce ten portraits of human rights defenders, coming from all parts of the globe, and their courageous struggle against torture and ill–‐treatment.

The portraits available on a dedicated page of its website www.omct.org will illustrate the challenges and obstacles these women and men face, as well as the disappointment and hopes they encounter in their fight against torture. In their respective portraits, the ten human rights defenders also stress the importance of public opinion against torture demonstrating that anyone, anywhere can do something to support the global fight.

PRAWA has been at the forefront of fighting against torture and in human treatment especially against the vulnerable people. As the worlds celebrate the HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, PRAWA joins OCMT to say that “NOTHING CAN JUSTIFY TOTURE” Through its various activities against torture PRAWA has been fighting against all forms of torture using all possible avenues available to it.

In its OAK supported Project in Nigeria, PRAWA has been following up Capacity Development for Prison Officers in Welfare and Health Units of the Nigerian Prisons and providing rehabilitation for tortured prison inmates.

In fighting against torture in Africa, PRAWA carries out advocacy activity with other NGOs on prevention of torture at the African Commission Human and People’s Rights [ACHPR].

Through its monitoring and evaluation activities, PRAWA follow-up intervention for treated victims and undertake prison-based evaluation on the trained prison officers.

In recognition of PRAWA’s doggedness in the fight against the Executive Director of PRAWA was recently elected into the Executive council of International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims [IRCT].