In conversation with...

26th June 2007

Marcel, Armel and Serge-Eric all share similar experiences of detention, torture and organised violence in their respective countries. They met at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture where they are part of a therapy group.

Marcel, Armel and Serge-Eric were interviewed for the 20th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Listen to their accounts of the torture that forced them to flee to the United Kingdom:

Serge-Eric's story

Length: 4:14 minutes (4 MB)

Armel's story

Length: 2:52 minutes (3 MB)

Marcel's story

Length: 1:02 minutes (969 KB)

The United Nations Convention against Torture has been ratified by 144 states. Yet in many of these states torture remains widespread. Marcel, Armel and Serge-Eric all suffered torture at the hands of their governments. We asked for them what they think about how the UN and governments can stop torture.

Listen to their comments about the UN Convention against Torture:

Serge-Eric ~ about the UN Convention

Length: 1:25 minutes (1 MB)

Armel ~ about the UN Convention

Some parts of the public think that it is justified to use torture in order to keep their communities safe. We asked these three torture survivors how these public attitudes made them feel.

Listen to their replies on why they think torture is never justified:

Serge-Eric ~ torture is never justified

Play Marcel ~ torture is never justified

 

The vision of the UN Convention against Torture is of a world without torture or ill-treatment. Serge- Eric tells us how he thinks a world without torture can be created and what the UN and governments need to do to make this happen.

Sergerique ~ a world without torture

Out of their therapeutic treatment at the Medical Foundation, Marcel, Armel and Serge-Eric decided to set up a support group for others who have also suffered from torture and persecution. Listen to how the idea of creating this group came about:

The Group

 

To find out more about the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment please visit:

• http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_cat39.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Convention_Against_Torture