Written on: June 12, 2019
Every June, human rights and faith organizations join together to mark Torture Awareness Month. The United Nations declared June 26th the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture in 1998, because the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT for short) went into force on that date in 1987.
For 23 hours a day for months, years, even decades, between 80,000 and 100,000 adults and youth are held in solitary confinement in U.S. prisons, jails and detention centers. On the 23rd of every month, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) invites you to join people nationwide in monthly actions to call for an end to the torture of solitary. Together we will take action on the 23rd at the recommendation of people incarcerated in Pelican Bay prison who led the momentous hunger strikes in California prisons. Together we can end the torture of solitary confinement and work for human rights.
Here are a few actions you can take to join us on the 23rd:
Follow us at @nrcattweets and use the hashtags #STOPsolitary #together