The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June marks the moment that the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, one of the main instruments for preventing torture, came into force in 1987.

Torture tries to undermine the identity of the survivor, and violates the human being’s intrinsic integrity. Torture continues in all parts of the world, given the utter prohibition of torture under international law.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said in his message on the occasion that the day is intended to attract the world’s attention to the victims of crime.

He said the Kashmir problem is a longstanding international dispute as the ruthless Indian forces are subjected to injustice and persecution by the innocent Kashmiri people.

The Information Minister has urged the international community to exert pressure on India to settle the Kashmir conflict peacefully.

He said the elimination of violence at an international and social level is vitally important to resolve all conflicts in a peaceful way.

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari on her part has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting people from violence and upholding their basic human rights.

She said the government is committed to ending the inhumane torture practice.

Shireen Mazari also raised the issue of Kashmiris by Indian Occupation forces in Occupied Kashmir, especially in relation to the inhuman treatment of women and youth in custody, reported a media source.