IRCT Statement for a global reading on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June 2012

STATEMENTS & DECLARATIONS
IRCT Statement for a global reading on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June 2012

Today marks the UN International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture. It provides us with an opportunity to honour the victims and survivors of torture, and for us all, survivors of torture and their allies, to stand in solidarity.

Despite its absolute prohibition torture continues to be a global phenomenon: both physical and psychological torture. Torture is today prevalent in over half the world’s countries. This is a disgrace in the twenty-first century.

Its victims are men, women – often targeted by rape and other sexual torture, and also, children. Torture victims are disproportionately from marginalized groups, in particular the poor, but also women and minority groups.

Taking the Istanbul Protocol forward -worldwithouttorture.org

Creating national plans for documenting torture – and UN monitoring of it – is hopefully the next stage for IRCT’s work with the Istanbul Protocol

A main impediment for torture victims to access justice is their lack of access to have physical and mental trauma documented by qualified medical experts. Without such evidence, cases are often dismissed without trial and the victims branded as lacking credibility.

Simply, for torture victims to take a case forward and for perpetrators to be held accountable, victims need access to documentation of their trauma provided by qualified experts.

For more than 10 years, the IRCT and key partner organisations have been working on ensuring effective access for all torture victims to a competent, independent and impartial medical/psychological examination of their trauma. This has mainly been done through promotion of the Istanbul Protocol, the UN-recognised standard and guide on documenting torture.

For example, through the IRCT’s collaboration with key forensic scientists, we have been able to use the Istanbul Protocol in key torture cases, such as with Khaled Said in Egypt.

Read complete story @ worldwithouttorture.org

Renewing lives - by International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)

"Renewing Lives"  a video produced by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) in 2007 in observance of the 20th Anniversary of the United Nation Convention Against Torture (UNCAT).

"Renewing Lives" aims to illustrate the effects of torture on its victims and to show the positive outcomes that result from rehabilitation and empowerment of survivors.

You can also watch the video directly from www.irct.org or link to youtube. 

2011 IRCT Micro Film Competition

 

 

http://www.irct.org/Default.aspx?ID=5436

2011 IRCT Micro Film Competition

Do you want your short film to be shown all over the world while contributing to the movement for a world without torture?

The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) invites you to submit a short film to mark the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – 26th June 2011.

The winning film will be featured on the IRCT website and will be shown by IRCT member centres around the globe on the 26th June.

to read more please follow the link: http://www.irct.org/