ACAT to meet WCC general secretary at Ecumenical Centre, Geneva

The representatives of the Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT) leaders are going to meet the general secretary of the World Council of Churches on 11th June at the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva. This meeting is to prepare in advance for the International day of support for the victims of torture which will be held on 26th June.

The delegates who will be present in Geneva's meeting are Patrick Byrne (chairman), Philippe Westercamp (treasurer), Sylvie Bukhari de Pontual (who is responsible for liaison with international organisations), Jean-Claude Huot (who is responsible for European and church relations.) and Claire Chimelli, Geneva representative.

ACAT campaigns on behalf of people who are tortured, detained in inhuman conditions, sentenced to death or "disappeared". The International Federation of ACAT (FIACAT), which brings together 30 national associations, helps the ACAT network. Since 1987, it has spread to Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Recently, FLACAT called on the US and British governments "to fully investigate all allegations of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment in all places of detention" under their responsibility in Iraq, and the US government to do the same in other places under its authority, including Afghanistan and Guantánamo Bay. It also asked the US to sign the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture.

ACAT seeks to increase awareness in the Churches and amongst Christians of the existence of torture and the need, for reasons of Christian faith, to work towards its abolition, in particular by writing letters in response to the political leaders of countries in which torture is practised.