Torture "is an evil that remains in too many of our societies and is tolerated, even practised, by the governments or by their agents". This was denounced in a statement made by the secretary general of the United nations, Kofi Annan, for the World Day in support of the victims of torture which falls on June 26th 2006. "The ban on torture is very clear, it is absolute and unambiguous, it applies to all circumstances, both at war and at peace", stated Annan. "It is not admissible, not even if it is called with some other name: cruel and unwonted punishment is unacceptable and illegal, whatever one decides to call it. We have to fight to erase this stain from the conscience of mankind. We have to openly and powerfully condemn these practices and work harder and harder to put an end to torture, in all its forms". In this respect, the UN secretary recalled the recent enforcement of the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatments and Punishments. "The Protocol can be invoked to prevent abuse on convicts. Its provisions can even help the special chairman for torture in his work". "This year he concluded marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the UN Fund for the Victims of Torture. I would like to thank the current donors for supporting the Fund and I ask the international community to keep giving generously".
