How to become a member

To belong to the SOS-Torture Network, an organisation must meet the following strict conditions:

• Be a non-governmental organisation or network or coalition of associations;
• Have as their main or subsidiary objective the fight against torture as defined in art. 2 of the OMCT statutes, and/or other statutory purposes such as the fight against extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions or the support for human rights defenders;
• Subscribe to the aims and values of the OMCT and its Network, such as the universality of human rights and non-discrimination;

• Be independent from governments, information services or political parties;
• Use exclusively peaceful means for achieving its objectives and not resort to violence;
• Be able to collect and disseminate reliable and verified information;
• Be willing to proactively participate in the activities of the Network, in particular by providing information, expertise, support, solidarity and assistance to the Secretariat and other Network members.

We count on our members to:

• Alert us about cases of torture and other human rights violations relevant to OMCT’s mandate
• Take part in solidarity actions to support, defend, and/or promote other members being threatened and human rights defenders at risk;
• Regularly disseminate information received by OMCT and other SOS-Torture member organisations;
• Participate in joint campaign and advocacy actions;

• Support the Secretariat and other members with expertise, advice and technical assistance;
• Provide logistical support to OMCT’s activities such as a field missions and fact-finding investigations;
• Acknowledge SOS-Torture Network membership on their websites;
• Communicate any changes in their organisations’ structure, contacts and staff.

Members are expected to pay an annual membership fee of 200 EUR.

Only in exceptional circumstances, with the agreement of the OMCT Executive Council, fees may be paid by rendering service if the organisation can justify such a request.

Membership can be withdrawn when a member organisation:

• No longer fulfils the required conditions of membership;
• Has deliberately transmitted false information or manipulated information transmitted by the SOS-Torture Network;

• Supports an armed struggle or promotes hatred or violence in any way;
• Works for a government, an information service or a political party;
• Is found by an independent body to use discriminatory practices or policies, or is found to be in violation of any other human rights standards;
• Does not respond to the various communications from OMCT (i.e. invitations to meetings, questionnaires, requests for information, etc.) for a period of at least two years;
• Repeatedly fails to pay membership fees.

Complete the Network Membership form

To apply for membership please fill in the form downloadable below and return it to network@omct.org.

Your application will be reviewed by the Secretariat and submitted to the OMCT Executive Council, which will decide whether to accept or refuse your membership request. The OMCT Executive Council meets every six months.

We strongly encourage you to get in touch with us to explore possible ways of collaboration before you submit your application. There is no better way to getting to know each other!