Every June, human rights advocates and faith-driven organizers collectively mark Torture Awareness Month, which commemorates the 1987 anniversary of The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment entering into force. 

The adoption of this historic resolution by the UN was a global event: it explicitly describes acts that are deemed torture, and mandates specific procedures for state governments to prevent and take accountability for its use. A decade later, in December 1997, the United Nations declared June 26 to be International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.  

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) invites you and your local church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or religious community to join people of faith throughout the world in commemorating Torture Awareness Month.  

This year is extra special: throughout 2026, NRCAT is celebrating its 20th anniversary by looking back on the ways we’ve shaped the movement against state-sanctioned torture, from the horrific conditions in Guantánamo to solitary confinement in prisons, jails, and immigration detention centers. For this year’s Torture Awareness Month, we’ve created a special edition of our Action Toolkit, featuring all-new data, tools, templates, event ideas, and calls to action. We’re also debuting our new Fact Sheet and Talking Points guide to support your outreach to the general public on the issues of torture, solitary confinement, and the moral imperative for people of faith to take a stand. Check out the many ways you and your faith community can take action below! 

Sign the national pledge: Add your name to NRCAT's new national pledge, and encourage others in your community, congregation, or organization to sign as well.  

Write to your members of Congress: Currently, there are two federal bills in Congress that would be historic anti-solitary legislation if passed. 

• End Solitary Confinement Act: The End Solitary Confinement Act is a groundbreaking bill that would end solitary confinement in federal prisons, immigration detention centers, and other federal and federally contracted facilities. Write to your members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor the End Solitary Confinement Act. 
• Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act: The use of solitary confinement in immigration detention has expanded dramatically, making this legislation more urgent than ever. Write to your members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act. 

Display a banner: Do you have an anti-torture banner yet? Contact Melaura Homan-Smith at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to receive a NRCAT banner with messages like “Close Guantánamo” and “Solitary Confinement = Torture.” 

Write an op-ed or letter to the editor: Use our brand-new Fact Sheet and Talking Points guide to craft an op-ed voicing your opposition to the use of torture with accurate data, tried-and-true talking points, and effective argument structures.  

Host a film screening and discussion: Host a screening of NRCAT’s short film Torture in our Name or the documentary The Strike using our discussion guides to facilitate a productive, memorable conversation. 

• Torture in Our Name: The short film Torture in Our Name features movement leaders who survived solitary and faith leaders from three anti-solitary state campaigns. Learn more about the film and download a discussion guide to help plan your screening. 
• The Strike: Feature-length documentary The Strike follows California solitary survivors who launched the largest hunger strike in U.S. history. The fillm is streaming for free on PBS Independent Lens through June 11th. You can also complete the request form to host a screening, and use our discussion guide to structure the conversation.  

Raise awareness and share action alerts on social media: Use our sample posts to spread anti-torture messaging and opportunities throughout June, and be sure to tag NRCAT in your posts: facebook.com/nrcat, @nrcatphotos, @nrcattweets. 

Host a prayer vigil: Bring your community together to pray for those suffering in solitary confinement and enduring other forms of torture using NRCAT’s 2026 Prayers for Torture Awareness Month.  

Organize your faith community: Want to educate and mobilize your congregation, but not sure where to start? Check out our Torture Awareness Month interfaith worship resource hub for worship materials, prayers, litanies, sermon notes, teachings on torture from sacred texts, and much more.  

Wear your values: Visit the NRCAT store for t-shirts, totes, mugs, and other items sure to start a conversation with everyone you meet. Each purchase supports NRCAT and raises awareness about the urgency of creating a torture-free future for everyone.  

Support our ongoing anti-torture work: With a tax-deductible gift, you can ensure that NRCAT and our partners are able to continue building a torture-free future. Thank you for your support!