World Confederation for Physical Therapy

World Confederation for Physical Therapy, WCPT Resolution in support of Torture Victims Day (1999).

Proposed by the association of Danish Physiotherapists, the following resolution was adopted at the 13th International Congress of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), 23 to 28 May 1999, in Yokohama, Japan:



Proposal from Danske Fysioterapeuter to WCPT general meeting May 1999

WCPT RESOLUTION MAY 1999

MOTION

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) wishes to express its support to commemorate the United Nations' Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26 of each year

RATIONALE

Torture is one of the root obstacles to democracy and human well being and through our support to this day, we want to express the wish of physiotherapists for total eradication of torture.

The WCPT has in co-operation with the IRCT (International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims) through the last year established seminars for physiotherapists involved in education of physiotherapy students in order to fulfil our WCPT Guidelines concerning Torture. Our point 7 here mentions that education regarding prevention and prohibition of torture as well as the assessment and treatment of torture victims should be included with physiotherapy education programmes.

We want this international UN day to create awareness to torture and to honour the victims and survivors of torture and their families, friends and supporters. We support the expression of the IRCT, that "Democracy cannot be built on broken souls", and we will join the initiatives to create awareness to this cruel and degrading behaviour and to recognise the men and women who have struggled for a better world and who have suffered or disappeared.

WCPT encourage that physiotherapists throughout the world support the fight against torture on this United Nations' International Day in Support of the Victims.