The International Federation of ACATs, FIACAT, is an international Christian non-governmental human rights organisation, set up in 1987, which works towards the eradication of torture and the abolition of the death penalty. The Federation brings together some thirty national associations, the ACATs, present in three continents.

FIACAT’s strength lies above all in its network: that which links the ACATs one with another and also to other national NGOs. The legitimacy and relevance of the actions of both the federation and its network spring from its local roots.

FIACAT – representing its members in international and regional organisations

It enjoys Consultative Status with the United Nations (UN), Participative Status with the Council of Europe and Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR). FIACAT is also accredited to the International Organisation of la Francophonie (OIF).

By referring the concerns of its members working on the ground to international bodies, FIACAT's aim is to encourage the adoption of relevant recommendations and their implementation by governments. FIACAT works towards the application of international human rights conventions, the prevention of torture in places of detention, and an end to enforced disappearances and impunity. It also takes part in the fight against the death penalty by encouraging States to abolish this inhuman punishment from their legislation and by raising awareness among opinion leaders, religious leaders and customary leaders about abolition.

To give added impact to these efforts, FIACAT is a founding member of several campaigning coalitions, in particular the World Coalition against the Death Penalty (WCADP), the United Against Torture consortium (UATC), the French Human Rights Platform (PDH), the International Coalition against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED) and the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN). Alongside other PDH members, FIACAT is also active in the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders around the world.

FIACAT – building up the capacities of the ACAT network in thirty countries

FIACAT assists its member associations in organising themselves, supporting them so that they can become important players in civil society, capable of raising public awareness and having an impact on the authorities in their country.

It coordinates the network by promoting exchanges, proposing regional and international training events and joint campaigns, thus supporting the activities of the ACATs and providing them with exposure on the international scene.

FIACAT – an independent network of Christians united in fighting torture and the death penalty

FIACAT's mission is to raise awareness of torture and the death penalty among churches and Christian organisations in order to convince them to act for their abolition and eradication.