IT is Amnesty International's 40th anniversary year and in this year we are running our worldwide campaign to 'Stamp Out Torture'.

Torture is still committed in two-thirds of the world's countries today. Often people are tortured because of who they are and what they believe in rather than for information often tortured simply because of their sexual identity.

The true extent of this was revealed on June 22 in Amnesty's first ever report on this issue.

Such torture is a worldwide problem but one which is greatly unreported. It is shrouded in secrecy as the stigma surrounding homosexuality in many cultures means that homophobic violence often goes unreported, uninvestigated, unchallenged.

Whilst some governments deny that this torture takes place, others openly justify it in the name of morality, religion or ideology.

Shockingly, over 70 countries around the world criminalise homosexuality. Torture feeds off this discrimination.

Amnesty International is calling on governments worldwide to prevent torture and to challenge discrimination. Our government can use their influence with other governments by repealing the remaining laws in the UK which criminalise on the basis of sexual orientation and guaranteeing everyone in the UK a legal right to freedom from discrimination.

We ask your readers to add their voice to ours to say that torture and discrimination are always wrong.

K Dunn

(High Wycombe

Amnesty International Group)

Totteridge Avenue

High Wycombe