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George Bush institutionalized it in America. More on both countries below.
On December 12, 1997, UN General Assembly Resolution 52/149 designated June 26 as an "International Day in Support of Victims of Torture" and annual day of remembrance.
The Human Rights Education Association (HREA) said this year's theme is rehabilitation.
The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) said:
"Despite its absolute prohibition torture continues to be a global phenomenon: both physical and psychological torture. Torture is today prevalent in over half the world's countries. This is a disgrace in the twenty-first century."
"Its victims are men, women -- often targeted by rape and other sexual torture, and also, children. Torture victims are disproportionately from marginalized groups, in particular the poor, but also women and minority groups."
"The aim of torture is to exert power, to punish, create fear and to destroy trust."
IRCT explained that torture victims suffer long after their ordeal ends. Rehabilitation is crucial. It's to "empower (survivors) to resume as full a life as possible."
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