“They took away my voice, but they couldn’t take away my truth”
Every year on June 26, the world pauses to recognize the resilience of those who have endured the unimaginable. The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is not just about remembrance – it is a call to conscience, to action and a global reminder that torture, in all its forms, is a profound violation of human dignity. Survivors bear not only the scars of physical abuse but also the hidden wounds of trauma, stigma, and injustice. It is a moment to raise awareness, honor survivors, and call for accountability and justice and to stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands who have suffered torture, and those who continue to endure it in silence.
In Tellipalai, a village in the Tamil majority Jaffna district of Northern Sri Lanka, 66-year-old Kannaki embodies resilience. International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) Annual Report 2024 shares her story.
In 2009, during the peak of Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war, she lost her husband in an artillery strike -a tragedy that left her widowed, emotionally devastated, and solely responsible for three school-aged children. For years, grief and financial hardship weighed heavily on her. But in 2021, The Family Rehabilitation Centre (FRC), a member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), launched a psychosocial support initiative in her area. Through the connection of a local community volunteer, Kannaki began attending counseling sessions that helped her confront the trauma of her loss and rebuild confidence in her future. With guidance from FRC and support from the Samurdhi government welfare programme, she took a bold step of launching her own dry foods packing business. FRC provided her with business training and a livelihoods grant, helping establish a packing center in her community and equipping her with skills in digital marketing and enterprise management. That resulted a thriving small business and renewed hope.
Kannaki’s story is not just about recovery – it’s about the power of community, the effectiveness of targeted mental health and economic support, and the strength that can emerge from even the darkest chapters of personal and collective pain of nationwide post conflict trauma. Survivors’ stories demand our attention and their rights demand our protection.
‘Always heartbreaking to meet survivors of torture. Their testimonies reflect the resilience and pain of survivors globally. On this United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, I honor them and victims worldwide – and stand with all seeking justice’
The message from Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who visited the Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on 25 June 2025 during his official visit to the country. At Chemmani, he paid tribute to victims, met with families of the disappeared who were staging a peaceful protest and engaged with lawyers and individuals who had filed complaints about the mass graves. This visit marked a significant moment in acknowledging long-standing demands for truth and justice from affected communities in Northern Sri Lanka.
“Take one member of society, torture him, send him back to the society, it is as if you have tortured the entire society.” – Medical Service Provider, Iraq (OHCHR)
Torture is not merely an act committed against an individual – it is a calculated tool of fear and control, aimed at entire populations. Its impact reverberates far beyond the prison walls or interrogation chambers where it occurs. Survivors often carry physical and psychological wounds for life, but the trauma rarely stops with them. It echoes through families and communities, shaping relationships, worldviews, and social dynamics. In many cases, unaddressed trauma can be transmitted across generations, fueling cycles of silence, fear, and, in some instances, revenge. This ripple effect underscores the urgency of collective healing and the need to dismantle systems that allow torture to persist.
According to Torture Trends and Developments: Annual Overview 2024 – United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture in Conflict Zones and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
- Torture was reported in over 25 countries, including Sri Lanka, India, Syria, occupied Palestinian territory
- Sexual torture remains a widespread tactic in armed conflicts, used to instill fear and extract information.
- Despite international laws, systematic torture continues in detention centers and during political crackdowns
- Females remain at heightened risk of severe and gender-specific forms of torture and other ill-treatment
“Torture is a crime under international law, yet it continues to thrive in the shadows.”
According to the IRCT (International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims) Global Impact Data 2024;
- 81,000+ survivors of torture are treated annually by IRCT (International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims) member centers worldwide. This is considered a vast underestimate of the true global number.
- 56% of survivors treated by IRCT members live in poverty. Poverty is a major risk factor for torture.
- 11,577 survivors reported experiencing sexual or gender-based violence. This number is likely underreported due to stigma and fear.
- Only 3% of survivors self-identified as LGBTI+, though this is likely an undercount. Marginalized groups often face higher risks of abuse.
As part of commemorating the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) organized a Film Festival under the powerful theme “It Could Be Me.” The event featured a public screening of the critically acclaimed film ‘Jai Bhim’, which explores themes of systemic injustice, exploitation, and the often-fraught quest for equality through the legal system and A panel discussion followed, opening a civic dialogue.
In the message, the Chairperson of HRCSL emphasized that the constitutional guarantee of freedom from torture extends far beyond physical abuse. It includes severe mental suffering inflicted by public officials to:
- Extract confessions or information from the victim or others
- Punish for acts committed or suspected
- Intimidate or coerce third parties
- Perpetuate harm rooted in discrimination
According to the HRCSL, Between January 2020 and May 2025, Sri Lanka recorded 79 deaths linked to police action – 49 custodial deaths and 30 deaths during police operations. Most incidents occurred in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara. Two recent cases highlight the urgency for reform:
- Nandakumar Illankeshwaran, detained in Nelliyadi, Jaffna in February 2025 on false theft allegations, reportedly suffered severe beatings in custody, resulting in fractures and soft tissue injuries.
- Muthuwadige Sathsara Nimesh, arrested in April 2025 for minor trespassing, died the following day after being held at Welikada Police Station. Independent sources allege he was subjected to police brutality.
HRCSL issued its General Guidelines and Recommendations No. 1 of 2025, aimed at addressing this systemic abuse. These reforms seek to reinforce and enhance existing Police Departmental Orders, fostering a culture of rights-based policing and institutional accountability. These include Key Safeguards for Law Enforcement:
- Before, during, and after arrest: protocols for safe transfer, immediate legal access, and family notification
- During detention: humane conditions, medical care, and periodic monitoring
- During interrogation: prohibition of violence and requirements for transparency and accountability
- Use of force and weapons: strict proportionality and documentation
- Record keeping: reliable systems to track suspects, complaints, and outcomes
- Independent investigation mechanisms for all cases involving custodial harm or death
Together, we must affirm: torture has no place in our world.
Ref:
UN Rights Chief Visits Chemmani – Ceylon Today
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June | OHCHR
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture | United Nations
202410-unsrt-sexualtorture-q-a.pdf