he fervent hope of a world free from all forms of torture” is the objective of a worldwide night vigil
organized by the ACAT (Action by Christians Against Torture) during the night of 23 to 24 June, 48 hours ahead of the International Day against torture promoted by the United Nations.
“From Brazil to the Philippines, by way of Ghana and Britain”, reads an ACAT statement, Christians of all confessions will be called to pray for the victims of willingly inflicted extreme physical or mental suffering. According to the
organization, torture, “the destruction of a human being”, is practiced in half of all countries.
Ten emblematic examples of victims of torture are remembered by ACAT, including Rafael Sánchez Rodriguez, incarcerated in the Mexican prison of Tlacolula after the 26 November 2006 peaceful demonstration in Oaxaca, tortured by electroshock pending trial; or Bakhadir Choukourov, condemned in 2005 for belonging to a forbidden Muslim movement, so severely tortured and knocked out by psychotropic drugs that he no longer recognizes
anybody.
Or the Turkmen human rights activists Annajourban Amnnklytchev and Sapardourdy Khadjie, jailed and tortured after being condemned in unjust trials for collaborating with a French reporter; the female journalist and human rights activist Ogoulsapar Mouradova, arrested with them, died under torture.
(From MISNA)