Paris, 5 January 2017 – From 27 June to 9 July 2016 the International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT) held its first electronic International Council, at which the ACAT delegates elected a new international Bureau, adopted the strategic plan for 2016 -2019 and welcomed ACAT Sweden as a member.

FIACAT's International Council elected a new international Bureau. After a transitional phase, its members took up office on 1 January 2017 for a four -year term. Paul ANGAMAN (Côte d’Ivoire) was elected to succeed Sylvie BUKHARI -DE PONTUAL in the chair.

The members of FIACAT's new international Bureau are:

- Paul ANGAMAN (Côte d’Ivoire): Chairperson, responsible for coordinating West African ACATs and relations with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR);

- Emilie PETIT GUYOT (Belgium): Treasurer, and responsible for coordinating the network of European ACATs;

- Massimo CORTI (Italy): responsible for relations with Churches;

- Claire DORAN (Canada): responsible for coordinating ACATs in the Americas and Asia;

- Jean -Bernard MARIE (France): responsible for relations with the United Nations and the European Union;

- Jean -Daniel VIGNY (Switzerland): responsible for FIACAT programmes and relations with the Council of Europe.

This Bureau is tasked with implementing the new four -year strategic plan, with a view to:

- Continued development of international and regional representation by increasing interaction between international and regional organisations, and advocacy by FIACAT with international and regional organisations, Churches, religious institutions and communities, aiming to abolish torture, the death penalty and forced disappearances;

- Capacity -building in the ACATs and promoting cooperation between them by developing national and regional action programmes and ensuring protection of human rights defenders who are members of its network;

- Sustainability of FIACAT's action, in particular by extending its network in the world and increasing its use of skilled volunteers and its financial resources.

'The main tasks facing FIACAT in the next four years are to consolidate and extend its network in the world, to intervene more strongly against torture, the death penalty and forced disappearances; and to continue improving its credibility' in the words of Paul ANGAMAN, new Chairperson of FIACAT.

The International Council of FIACAT has welcomed ACAT Sweden as a member, thus demonstrating its wish to continue extending the FIACAT network. The total number of ACATs affiliated to FIACAT has now reached 26, spread over three different continents.

Press Contact:

- Sabrina BIGNIER – saa@fiacat.org - +33 1 42 80 01 60