Gu-Chu- Sum marks International Day for Victims of Torture with ‘Quilt of Dreams’ campaign

DHARAMSALA, June 26: Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet, an organization of former Tibetan political prisoners, marked the International Day for the Victims of Torture with a campaign titled ‘Quilt of Dreams’ at Upper TCV School here in Dharamsala.

While observing the International Day for the Victims of Torture with class VII students of Upper TCV School at the Herman Gmeiner Hall, Gu-Chu-Sum said, “This year, the organization aims to bring about close connection between students at Tibetan Children Village in close proximity with their background and a seed of realization about what has happened in the past and what is happening in today’s Tibet.”

“Instances of brutality must be challenged immediately and in any capacity possible, otherwise we risk turning this day into another day of a mere, routine observation,” Gu-Chu- Sum said in its press release and further urged everyone to take this day to think about how we can contribute in our own small ways to help rehabilitate the victims of torture around the world to live a life of freedom and dignity that everyone is entitled to.

Around hundred and thirty students from four sections of class VII were each provided with a small square fabric to either draw paintings or write poems using their creativity on topics related to the International Day for the Victims of Torture and the pieces were later stitched together to make the ‘Quilt of Dreams’.

Later, a documentary on self-immolation was shown to the students. Following which, the students were asked to express their thought on self-immolation. Though the students said that they feel proud of the sacrifices of their fellow countrymen for the cause of Tibet, they also declared that self-immolation needs to stop as it has not achieved the desired goals.

The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture marks the moment in 1987 when the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into effect. Today the convention has been ratified by 163 countries. It is observed annually on June 26 to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors throughout the world.

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