A/RES/54/156
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called for the early adoption of an optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which is intended to establish a preventive system of
regular visits to places of detention,4
Urging all Governments to promote the speedy and full implementation of the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993,5 in particular
the section relating to freedom from torture, in which it is stated that States should abrogate legislation
leading to impunity for those responsible for grave violations of human rights, such as torture, and prosecute
such violations, thereby providing a firm basis for the rule of law,6
Recalling its resolution 36/151 of 16 December 1981, in which it noted with deep concern that acts of
torture took place in various countries, recognized the need to provide assistance to the victims in a purely
humanitarian spirit and established the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture,
Recalling also the recommendation in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action that high
priority should be given to providing the necessary resources to assist victims of torture and effective
remedies for their physical, psychological and social rehabilitation, inter alia, through additional
contributions to the Fund,7
Noting with satisfaction the existence of a considerable international network of centres for the
rehabilitation of torture victims, which plays an important role in providing assistance to victims of torture,
and the collaboration of the Fund with the centres,
Mindful of the proclamation by the General Assembly in its resolution 52/149 of 12 December 1997 of
26 June as the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture,
1. Welcomes the work of the Committee against Torture, and takes note of the report of the
Committee,8 submitted in accordance with article 24 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
2. Notes with appreciation that one hundred and eighteen States have become parties to the
Convention;
3. Urges all States that have not yet done so to become parties to the Convention as a matter of
priority;
4. Invites all States ratifying or acceding to the Convention and those States that are parties to the
Convention and have not yet done so to consider joining the States parties that have already made the
declarations provided for in articles 21 and 22 of the Convention and to consider the possibility of
withdrawing their reservations to article 20;
4
A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III, sect. II, para. 61.
5
Ibid., chap. III.
Ibid., sect. II, paras. 54-61.
6
7
Ibid., para. 59.
8
Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 44 (A/54/44).
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