FIACAT MISSION STATEMENT
The International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT), which federates the national ACATs, is an international non -governmental organisation which defends human rights and campaigns for the abolition of torture and the death penalty.
The present Mission statement defines:
- the directions and methods which FIACAT follows to complete the missions assigned to it;
- the commitments ACATs make to FIACAT and to each other.
FIACAT’s Charter details the beliefs, values and principles upon which its actions, and those of the ACATs within the Federation, are founded.
FIACAT’s Charter and the present Mission statement together constitute the federative agreement which brings together FIACAT and the ACATs around a common vision.
ARTICLE 1: OBJECTIVES
FIACAT’s objectives are:
- to support and coordinate the ACATs, which are national associations that have come together to provide a more effective service in seeking to abolish torture and the death penalty;
- to represent, at an international and regional level, the ACATs, which uphold the Christian message of respect for human dignity;
- to help establish and develop action within international organisations with the aim of abolishing torture and the death penalty;
- to raise awareness within Churches and Christian organisations at international and regional levels, and persuade them to take action against torture and the death penalty.
ARTICLE 2: METHODS
To succeed in its missions:
- FIACAT represents the ACATs within international and regional bodies. It has, in particular, consultative status at the United Nations (UN), giving it access to the Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies, observer status at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (CADHP) and participatory status at the Council of Europe. It is also accredited by the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
- FIACAT assists ACATs in organising themselves and becoming important players in civil society, capable of influencing the mindset and structures of their countries. In particular it organises regional and international training sessions.
- FIACAT coordinates the network by promoting exchanges and joint initiatives: it supports actions taken by ACATs by providing its expertise and a conduit to the international stage. As an international federation, it also provides ACATs with the legitimacy they require at local level.
- FIACAT promotes the creation of new national ACATs to develop the network and establish regional structures, which provide the national associations with vital communication channels.
- On behalf of its ACATs, FIACAT is a member of the executive bodies of various international coalitions which share similar objectives (the International Coalition Against Torture (CINAT), the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED), the International Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC)….).
- FIACAT represents the ACATs when working with Churches (e.g. World Council of Churches, the Vatican….) at international and regional levels. It exhorts the latter and religious congregations to engage in the campaign for the abolition of torture and the death penalty.
ARTICLE 3: BINDING DOCUMENTS
FIACAT’s work to realise the above objectives is supported by the following documents:
- its Statutes ;
- Rules of Procedure;
- Charter of Good Governance.
 FIACAT Mission Statement (June 2012) |