EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas issued a statement on 26 June 2026, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, condemning the persistent use of torture worldwide and reaffirming the EU's commitment to combat it. The statement, published by the EU Delegation to Vietnam, highlights that torture remains widespread, often used to silence political dissent and suppress fundamental freedoms, despite being absolutely prohibited under international law.
Kallas underscored that the EU has taken concrete measures against torture, including sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in torture or ill-treatment, and a ban on the trade in torture tools — the first such regional ban globally. The EU also collaborates with the 'United Against Torture Consortium', a network of over 200 civil society organisations from more than 100 countries, to support judicial processes, reparations, and rehabilitation for survivors.
The statement emphasises that accountability and reparations are central to supporting victims, as they restore dignity and agency. Kallas highlighted the 'Charter of Rights of Victims and Survivors of Torture and other ill-treatment' as a landmark survivor-shaped document. She also called on all states to ratify and fully implement the UN Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol, which provides a framework for independent monitoring of detention facilities.
The statement reinforces the EU's stance without introducing new measures. For EU institutions, it reaffirms existing policy coherence. For governments of non-EU countries, particularly those where torture persists, the statement serves as diplomatic pressure to comply with international law. For civil society organisations working against torture, the EU's continued support and partnership provide legitimacy and resources. For victims and survivors, the focus on accountability and reparations signals ongoing EU commitment to their rights, though no new funding or programs were announced.