UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF

VICTIMS OF TORTURE

"TRUTH & TELLING ABOUT TORTURE"

June 26, 2005

By Margeret Buckles

On Saturday, June 26, 2005, the Democracy Council was an organizing member of the United Nations’ International Day in Support of Victims of Torture at Marymount High School in Westwood, California.  Entitled “Truth and Truth Telling About Torture,” the program was aimed at raising awareness about torture both at home and abroad, through survivor testimonies, scholarly reports, and cultural performances.  Two Democracy Council interns, Margaret Buckles and Zoe Griffith, as well as DC Financial Manager Paul Findley, attended and supported the event.  The day began with testimonies and musical performances from the “Lost Boys of Sudan” who survived a grueling trek through Sudan to refugee camps when they were children.  Next was an account of prison abuse from a former prisoner and the current head of the NGO Stop Prisoner Rape.  He spoke about the heinous crimes that go on in our own prisons, often encouraged by prison officials and often resulting in tremendous trauma for the victims.  We were treated to a musical performance by a group of activist performers, who were followed by the keynote address by Dr. Darius Rejali of Reed College.  Dr. Rejali spoke of the recent history of torture, and how, in spite of international conventions against it, torture has failed to cease as a means of warfare.  Ultimately, Dr. Rejali concluded that the best way for people like ourselves to stop torture is to demand a culture of non-violence that respects human dignity everywhere, starting with our own prisons.  Respect for life does not begin abroad, but instead, must be recognized in the darkest corners of our own towns.  Following Dr. Rejali’s address, DC’s Paul Findley introduced the last cultural performace, which included traditional dancing by Angolans who fled their homeland.  The event offered both a sobering glance and a hopeful view of a world that has yet to recognize the perils of torture.