The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in Bunia in partnership with Human Rights NGOs organized an open conference-debate in the district of Ituri to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture commemorated on 26 June of each year.

The concepts of torture and Human Rights violations as well as the situational analysis of the acts of tortures committed in this district and fight against torture from 2013 to date are the themes adressed by this commemoration; the last theme was presented by the Chief Military Prosecutor of the Ituri Garrison.

In Ituri, “many acts of torture are perpetrated in detention facilities by civilians as well as military personnel throughout this district,” reported “Centre Pélican”, a Human Rights NGO on Friday 26 June 2015 in Bunia, on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture.
Gilbert Tandiya, the NGO coordinator said “of the 25 prison mates sample visited in Bunia prison, at least 11 reported having been subjected to torture by their jailers.” Not being in possession of the statistics, Bunia chief military chief prosecutor requested the NGO “to share the information with evidence with the Court to help the latter to act.”
The chief military prosecutor Magistrate-Captain Vicky Lopombo further said “We do applaud the work done by this NGO on the ground, but request them to submit formal complaints to enable us to act. At our level, we have been able to identify 3 cases, one of which was sanctioned and the other 2 currently heard by the military court”

26 June is the date when the Convention on The United Nations General Assembly designated the 26 June, inspired by the date when the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments came into force.

Laurent Sam OUSSOU