With torture still widespread across the world, building a united front is vital to see real progress and to strengthen the implementation of international and regional rules prohibiting torture.
The United Against Torture Consortium (UATC) brings together six of the world’s leading anti-torture organisations with the aim to strengthen and expand the anti-torture movement by pooling their expertise in torture prevention, protection, survivor rehabilitation and strategic litigation against torture.
Funded by the European Union, the Consortium works in partnership with over 200 civil society organisations and other partners in more than 100 countries.
A United Response to Growing Threats
The UATC responds to the continuous use of torture and other ill-treatment in the context of growing threats to civil society working on torture and an increasingly volatile global environment that questions the global commitment to eradicate torture. It also seeks to build greater momentum to address more systematic challenges, such as an increase in the excessive use of force and weaponry by police and security forces in extra-judicial contexts, especially in pro-democracy protests and non-violent social demonstrations.
A key objective of the Consortium is to strengthen and service local anti-torture actors, networks, and movements, to act as an engine to power the movement, to strengthen its reach and relevance, and expand the global consensus on the absolute prohibition of torture.
The Consortium achieves its aims through several means, including by fostering survivor engagement; mobilising and empowering civil society anti-torture actors; strengthening legal protections on the prohibition of torture; strengthening strategic litigation in torture cases, and responding to crisis situations to empower and accompany local anti-torture and human rights groups.
Our Impact in the second year of UATC:
Under the umbrella of the Consortium, REDRESS is conducting the following projects
REDRESS is providing support to survivors, CSOs, lawyers, human rights defenders, activists and journalists around the world seeking justice and reparation for survivors.
We have highlighted the experiences of survivors, activists, and experts through the Voices for Human Dignity campaign, which reached over 18,930 people.
Learn more about our partners success stories here.
REDRESS’s Innovative Lawyers Awards aim to recognise the vital work of new and emerging anti-torture champions, expose them to a broader peer support network, offer them some financial support to pursue public interest litigation, and to inspire other lawyers and practitioners.
REDRESS and Omega Research Foundation have also intervened in the case of Theron v France before the European Court of Human Rights, which addresses the use of a ‘sting-ball’ grenade against a protester.
Ayoub El-Ghan: an activist from Western Sahara, who was run over by the police in a peaceful protest in Laayoune city in 2018
To mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UATC pledged to strengthen and expand the anti-torture movement to eradicate torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
We are developing practice notes on strategic litigation against torture, to equip lawyers and activists with tools to bring cases that can have a wider impact.
Our research reports contribute to stronger documentation and evidence of torture. For example, our India report, examines systemic patterns of torture and impunity and offers concrete recommendation for reform.
The Consortium also regularly issues joint statements to respond to crisis situations around the world.
We publish a bi-annual UATC newsletter featuring the latest updates, practical tools, impact stories, and collective achievements from across our global movement. Read the latest edition 26 June edition and the 10 December edition.
For more information please contact our Legal Advisor Renata Politi on [email protected]. For press enquiries contact Eva Sanchis, Head of Communications, on [email protected], +44 (0)20 7793 1777 (office) or +44 (0) 7857 110076 (mobile).
