“The last 40 years have seen remarkable progress in the fight against torture”—Juan Méndez, former Special Rapporteur on Torture
This interview is part of the United Against Torture Consortium's Voices for Human Dignity multimedia initiative. This initiative celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Convention against Torture (1984-2024) by giving a voice to torture victims, experts, and activists.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the UN Convention against Torture. Juan E. Méndez was the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture from 2010 to 2016. In the 1970s, he defended political prisoners during Argentina's dictatorship. He was arrested, tortured and held in administrative detention for a year and a half. The expert and torture survivor believes that the last 40 years have seen significant progress in the fight against torture. The most important way to stop torture is to investigate, prosecute and punish anyone who is involved in it. Another example is the Istanbul Protocol, which aims to document and detect whether or not torture has taken place. Despite the difficulty of eradicating torture, these instruments give governments the means to combat it. Given the progress made in recent decades, Mendez urges not to be discouraged and to continue the fight.
This content was produced by the #UnitedAgainstTorture Consortium (OMCT, IRCT, FIACAT, APT, OMEGA and REDRESS), funded by the EU. The contents are the sole responsibility of UATC and do not necessarily reflect the position of the EU.
