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108

by all relevant organs and mechanisms of the United Nations system and by the

supervisory bodies of the specialized agencies in accordance with their mandates.

52. The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes the important role played

by non-governmental organizations in the effective implementation of all human

rights instruments and, in particular, the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

53. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that the Committee on

the Rights of the Child, with the assistance of the Centre for Human Rights, be

enabled expeditiously and effectively to meet its mandate, especially in view of

the unprecedented extent of ratification and subsequent submission of country

reports.

5. Freedom from torture

54. The World Conference on Human Rights welcomes the ratification by many

Member States of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or

Degrading Treatment or Punishment and encourages its speedy ratification by all

other Member States.

55. The World Conference on Human Rights emphasizes that one of the most

atrocious violations against human dignity is the act of torture, the result of

which destroys the dignity and impairs the capability of victims to continue their

lives and their activities.

56. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that under human rights

law and international humanitarian law, freedom from torture is a right which

must be protected under all circumstances, including in times of internal or

international disturbance or armed conflicts.

57. The World Conference on Human Rights therefore urges all States to put an

immediate end to the practice of torture and eradicate this evil forever through

full implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the

relevant conventions and, where necessary, strengthening of existing mechanisms.

The World Conference on Human Rights calls on all States to cooperate fully with

the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture in the fulfilment of his mandate.

58. Special attention should be given to ensure universal respect for, and effective

implementation of, the Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of

Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and

Detainees against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or

Punishment adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

59. The World Conference on Human Rights stresses the importance of further

concrete action within the framework of the United Nations with the view to

providing assistance to victims of torture and ensure more effective remedies for

their physical, psychological and social rehabilitation. Providing the necessary

resources for this purpose should be given high priority, inter alia, by additional

contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture.