Eleven Torture CDnvention and the Delhi Symposium 11.1 The Nati»-nal Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) and the International Rehabilitation CDuncii for Torture Victims (IRCT), Copenhagen, in collaboration with the Indian Medcal Association and the Indian Law Institute organised the Eighth International Symposium on 'Torture as a Challenge to the Health, Legal and other Professions', bef^een 22-25 September 1999, in New Delhi. 11.2 This symposium, the eighth in a series—the preceding one having been held in South Africa in ©95—was a major international event focussing on human rights issues relating to tortue and the rehabilitation of torture victims. While earlier symposia had been organized raainly by the medical profession and focussed essentially on their work and responsibilif, the sponsors of the eighth symposium believed that legal and other professions, the media, and more widely, civil societ)- should also be fully associated with efforts to tackle iiis serious problem. Participants at the symposium thus included, in addition to healti and legal professionals, representatives of the media, NGOs, human rights activists ard national human rights instimtions. 11.3 Ms. Mary tobinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Justice M.N. Venkatachaiah, the then Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India, were the patrons of the symposium held at the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The Chiefjustice of Irrlia, Justice A.S, Anand, inaugurated the proceedings on 22 September 1999. A large number of delegates from India and abroad participated, including the Piesident IRCT, Secretary General IRCT, Deputy Secretary General IRCT, the Special Advisor to the U> High Commissioner for Human Rights and representatives of many National Human ^ghts Commissions and State level Human Rights Commissions. The symposium concluded on 25 September 1999 with the adoption ofthe 'Delhi Declaration— A Plan of Action' to counter the menace of torture (see Annexure XIV). The former President of India. Mr. R. Venkataraman, was the Chief Guest at the valedictory function of the symposium 11.4 From the de iberations, it was felt that action was required on the following matters in the Indian conext: □ Early ratificaion of the UN Convention against Torture by the Government of India.