GENEVA - Victims of torture have urged States to place justice, reparations and recovery at the centre of responses to one of the gravest human rights violations, according to a new report and Survivors' Charter released today by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards.
"This document is a reminder that survivors are not merely witnesses to atrocity," Edwards said. "They are rights-holders, advocates and architects of positive change. Their voices must shape the systems intended to protect them."
The Charter of Rights of Victims and Survivors of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment examines what justice, reparation and recovery truly mean for those who have endured torture. It covers access to truth, effective investigations, participation in decision-making, prevention and protection measures.
"For too long, survivors have been expected to adapt to systems that were never designed with them in mind," the expert said. "This Charter reverses that approach. It starts with survivors - and asks States to respond."
The accompanying report documents the profound and lasting consequences of torture. Survivors described enduring psychological trauma, social isolation, economic hardship and persistent barriers to healthcare, legal remedies and rehabilitation. Many highlighted never receiving acknowledgement, apology or compensation, despite international legal guarantees.
"This Charter is born from courage," Edwards said. "Survivors who have endured unimaginable harm chose not only to speak of what happened to them, but of their hopes for recognition, accountability and change. The importance of survivor participation and leadership is central to the Charter."
The Charter was developed through regional hearings convened by the Special Rapporteur in Bogotá, Nairobi and Kathmandu, alongside more than 120 written submissions from survivors and survivor-led organisations.
Although not yet a United Nations instrument, the Charter is being presented to the Human Rights Council as a framework for action. Edwards expressed hope that it could, over time, contribute to the development of an internationally endorsed standard, grounded in survivors' priorities.
"Torture is one of the most serious crimes under international law," the expert said. "Yet survivors too often encounter exclusion, disbelief and delay when they seek help."
"Recovery for survivors, their families and their communities is not possible without recognition and participation," Edwards said.
The Special Rapporteur urged States to use the Charter to strengthen national laws, reparations programmes and rehabilitation systems.
"Justice after torture is not only about the past," the expert said. "It is about restoring dignity, rebuilding trust in institutions and preventing future harm."
