The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1984 and came into force on June 26, 1987. In honor of the Convention, June 26 is now recognized as the International Day in Support of Torture Victims. As of December of 2008, 146 nations are parties to the treaty, and another ten countries have signed but not ratified it.
The Convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture within their borders, and forbids states to return people to their home country if there is reason to believe that they will be tortured in their country.
The Covenant has a preamble and 33 articles, divided into three parts.
