Rehabilitation: A New Life for Survivors Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights Every year on this day we honor the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day is an attempt to encourage and help survivors of torture to overcome traumatic violations of their rights. However, at this very moment, there are thousands of people experiencing torture, violence, and inhumane treatment. "I urge all Member States to accede to and fully implement the Convention against Torture and support the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. Let us work together to end torture throughout the world and ensure that countries provide reparation for victims." Ban Ki-‐moon "Torture is defined as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity." Article 1, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Since 1984, the UN has been protesting against torture and other forms of inhumane treatment, namely physical and psychological punishment, and any other act that may violate human rights. Torture is, according to international law, prohibited and considered a crime. Iraq, along with 141 other countries signed the Convention against Torture, and all should comply with it. On January 12, 1997, the UN General Assembly marked June 26th as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Thanks to the efforts made by non-‐governmental organizations, the UN announced in 1975 its commitment to the protection of human beings from maltreatment and torture. This announcement led to the 1981 formation of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. This fund supports the foundations that help victims of torture and their families.
On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Jiyan Foundation calls on all actors to take action against torture and support survivors. Please carefully consider the following recommendations. 1. Survivors of torture are entitled to rehabilitation and the best possible treatment. We ask the Parliament of Kurdistan-‐Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to take the issue of torture seriously and establish effective measures to limit it. We hope that supporting survivors of torture will soon be one of the KRG's priorities. 2. The police, security forces, and Ministry of Interior are those parties that should protect the rights of the imprisoned, not violate their rights by torturing them. 3. Serious actions should be taken to protect the rights of the imprisoned, so that they do not become victims of human rights violations. 4. Financial support should be given to those organizations working to help survivors of torture. These organizations should be able to work freely in Kurdistan and Iraq. 5. The government can benefit from outside assistance from European non-‐governmental organizations that work with the physical and psychological rehabilitation of persons who have suffered human rights violations. Promoting professional exchange meetings and training courses for organizations and their staff can achieve this. 6. It is critical to establish rehabilitation centers for children who have been affected by violence and torture. 7. The Jiyan Foundation is in urgent need of financial backing in order to purchase the medication needed to treat its patients. We kindly ask for support in this matter, so we may help as many survivors of torture as possible. Finally, we hope to see all civil society organizations and governmental agencies join forces, share ideas and plans, and take action together to improve rehabilitation services for survivors of torture.
The Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights is a non-‐governmental organization that provides free of charge medical, psychological and social help to people who have suffered human rights violations such as torture, genocide, chemical attacks and violence. The Jiyan Foundation was founded in 2005 and its 130 employees have treated 20,000 survivors over the past ten years.