Today, June 26 in Nizhny Novgorod, the INGO “Committee against Torture” held a picket in support of victims of torture. The decision to annually observe the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26 was taken in 1997 by the United Nations General Assembly at the proposal of the UN Economic and Social Council. On this day in 1987, the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment went into effect. Every year this day is commemorated to eradicate torture and to promote the effective functioning of the Convention.