Holy See Signs Convention Against Torture

by Holy See

On 26 June, the Holy See published its Ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and a Declaration that explains the motivation for signing the Convention. The Declaration notes the teaching of the Church set forth in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Code of Canon Law that clearly identify and mention the conduct that can injure a person's moral or physical integrity; they condemn those who perform them and demand the abolition of such acts. The present Pope has repeatedly urged that 'torture must be called by its proper name' so that governments and societies may avoid the use of torture.

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1984 and entered into force on 16 June 1987. It has been ratified to date by 129 states.

The Holy See wished to ratify this Convention, in the name of Vatican City State, and chose to do so on 26 June, the day declared by the United Nations: "UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture". Archbishop Renato R. Martino, Permanent Observer to the Holy See, will deliver to the office of the United Nations' Secretary General in New York the instrument of ratification, signed by His Holiness John Paul II, together with the following Declaration:

"The Holy See considers the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to be a valid and acceptable instrument for the struggle against acts that constitute a grave assault on the dignity of the human person. At the present time, the Catholic Church has constantly spoken out in favour of unconditional respect for life and has unequivocally condemned 'all violations of the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, physical and mental torture, undue psychological pressures and all offences against human dignity' (Pastoral Constitution on the Church Gaudium et spes, n. 27)".

"The law of the Church (Code of Canon Law, 1983) and her Catechism (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992) clearly identify and mention the conduct that can injure a person's moral or physical integrity, they condemn those who perform them and demand the abolition of such acts. On 14 January 1978, in his last address to the Diplomatic Corps, after referring to the torture and cruel treatment practised in various countries to the harm of human beings, Paul VI concluded: 'How could the Church fail to take a severe position of opposition . . . to torture and to similar acts of violence inflicted on the human person?. For his part, Pope John Paul II has never failed to say that 'torture must be called by its proper name' (Message for World Day of Peace, 1 January 1980). He has expressed deep compassion for 'victims of torture' (World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Human Rights, Rome, 4 July 1998), and especially for 'tortured women' (Message to the Secretary General of the United Nations, 1 March 1993). It is in this spirit that the Holy See intends to offer its moral support and collaboration to the international community, for the purpose of helping to eliminate the inadmissible and inhuman recourse to torture".

© L'Osservatore Romano, Editorial and Management Offices, Via del Pellegrino, 00120, Vatican City, Europe, Telephone 39/6/698.99.390.

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