The Fight Against Torture: A Key Priority for the EU

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner today marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by paying tribute to victims of torture and to all those fighting to eradicate it.

"The European Commission has made the fight against torture a key priority in its external relations," said Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner. "We consistently raise the issue of torture in our relations with third countries and in multilateral fora and provide substantial funding to support projects aiming at the prevention of torture and through assistance to torture victims throughout the world."

The European Union has an absolute ban on torture and ill-treatment, reflected in Article 4 of the Charter on Fundamental Rights of the EU, which states that “No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

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