Towards a Torture-Free Society: A Call for Justice, Humanity, and Reform

 Towards a Torture-Free Society: A Call for Justice, Humanity, and Reform

By PVCHR (People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights)
Date: 26 June 2025 – UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

On 26 June 2025, PVCHR marked the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture with a powerful appeal for justice, dignity, and reform. Founder Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and National Coordinator Mr. Onkar Vishwakarma issued a heartfelt video message, amplifying the voices of survivors and calling for systemic change. The video was curated by PVCHR intern, Mr. Ankit Singh, as part of the organization’s commitment to stand with survivors and advocate for a torture-free world.

The Deep Roots of Non-Violence in Indian Tradition

India’s ancient Sanatan and Shraman traditions uphold Ahimsa (non-violence) and the intrinsic dignity of every human being. These principles resonate with the global ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the belief that the whole world is one family. Non-violent discourse traditions like Shastrartha once shaped India’s culture of tolerance, forming the philosophical bedrock against torture.

Today, this moral imperative is legally reinforced by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and liberty. The Supreme Court has consistently interpreted this right as including protection against torture. As a signatory to the UDHR, ICCPR, and other international treaties, India has both a constitutional and international obligation to eradicate torture.


Torture: The Most Common and Most Condemned Human Rights Violation

As stated in Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

"No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

Torture is not only illegal—it is morally reprehensible, internationally prohibited, and non-derogable (meaning it cannot be justified under any circumstance). Yet, countless people—particularly those in detention—continue to suffer from this heinous practice.

Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, former Chairperson of NHRC, rightly called torture “one of the most common forms of human rights violations.” His words during a PVCHR event in 2012 continue to echo the urgent need for systemic reform and survivor-centered justice.

The Invisible Wounds of Torture

Torture leaves physical scars—but its deepest wounds are often invisible:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Chronic pain syndromes

  • Psychological trauma, including depression, paranoia, and psychic numbing

Torture kills not only the body—but the soul. It destroys desire, disrupts meaning, and erodes one’s capacity for empathy and trust. The long-lasting psychic toll is often the most pernicious and intractable form of human rights abuse.

Why Torture Persists

  • Lack of political will

  • Impunity for perpetrators

  • Corruption and secrecy in policing

  • Outdated or absent legal frameworks

  • Failure to ratify the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

India’s long-pending Prevention of Torture Bill, recently passed, is a hopeful step. But unless the government ratifies the UNCAT and integrates its provisions into domestic law, the fight remains incomplete.

A Way Forward: Legal and Social Reform

To eradicate torture, we need a three-pronged approach:

1. Strong Legal Frameworks

  • Enforceable laws that define and prohibit all forms of torture.

  • Procedural safeguards like proper detention records and independent inspections.

2. Independent Institutions

  • Empowered National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

  • Transparent complaint mechanisms and forensic documentation systems.

  • Survivor-centered justice models, including testimonial therapy and restorative justice.

3. Public Awareness and Survivor Empowerment

  • Educate youth on human rights from school onwards.

  • Mobilize technology and media to expose torture and amplify survivor voices.

  • Organize testimonial ceremonies and community healing programs, as PVCHR does, to restore dignity and build solidarity.

PVCHR: A Beacon of Hope

PVCHR's Testimonial Campaign bridges silence and survival. By documenting survivor experiences and holding public ceremonies, it empowers the marginalized and pressures systems to change. Survivors are not merely victims; they become agents of transformation.

As Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi states:

“Silence is the biggest promoter of impunity.”

And it is silence we must break—with advocacy, evidence, empathy, and relentless commitment.

Conclusion: From Policy to People

A torture-free world is not a utopia. It is a constitutional promise, a cultural inheritance, and a moral obligation. Governments must act. People must demand. Survivors must be heard.

India’s strength lies not only in its democratic institutions, but in its people’s conscience. As we commemorate this day, let us reaffirm our commitment to human dignity, and ensure that no person—regardless of caste, creed, class, or circumstance—is ever subjected to torture again.

Join the movement. Support PVCHR. Stand for dignity. Speak against torture.

📍 Location: Varanasi, India

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