Credit: Photo by Hkun Lat/Getty; intervened with crayon acquarelle and texts by Marcelo Brodsky.

The IRCT movement finds itself at a critical moment. Around the world, the principles and ideals of universal human rights and a rules-based global order are being systematically undermined. Authoritarian nationalism is on the rise, while space for civil society is shrinking. As a tool of war, discrimination and the punishment of dissent, torture and ill-treatment closely track such dark developments.

Yet within this drastic context we also see remarkable rays of hope. In recent years ever more people – especially younger generations – have shown a determination to stand up and speak out to defend universal human rights, including the prohibition of torture. Building those societies, challenging States to live up to their human rights obligations, is what IRCT members have always been about. Every year, our 176 members in 80 countries support over 80,000 survivors and their families to rebuild lives devastated by torture.

Our Strategy 2026-2030 sets out not only how our global movement will continue to improve rehabilitation standards for survivors, but also how we will ensure more survivors have the opportunity to become leaders in the fight against torture, how we will leverage the expertise and advocacy of an international network to confront States with the evidence of their abuses and demand more and better justice, and how partnerships with other human rights actors will build a movement and a momentum for change that can meet this critical moment.

IRCT’s Strategy 2026-2030 was developed after consultation with all IRCT’s members, regional committees, the Council and Executive Committee, and was approved by a super majority vote of the General Assembly.