TRC Annual Report 2009 by TRC User TRC

Annual Report

Treatment & Rehabilitation

Center for Victims of Torture

Branches and addresses

Main Office Ramallah

Al-Irsal st.- al-Masa Bldg. 3rd floor Tel: +972 2 2963932, +972 2 2961710 Fax: +972 2 2989123 Email :info@trc-pal.org Website: www.trc-pal.org Branches Hebron

King Faisal st., opposite to the Education department behind Khalaf commercial building 4th floor Tel: 02 2298021 Fax: 02 2298020 Jenin

Albasatin neighborhood, the elderly home building 1st floor Tel: 04 2430362 fax: 04 2430363 Nablus

Al-Adl st. Aloul & abu Salha building 7th floor Tel: 09 2398143 fax: 09 2398133

04 08 09 10 10 12 14 16 17 17 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 24 24 25 26 27 27 28 29 30 30 31 31 32 36 38

Table of Contents

This Report & Acknowledgment ........................................................................ Preface ................................................................................................................. Identity of TRC ............................................................................................................................. Vision and Mission ..................................................................................................................... Perspective on Torture .............................................................................................................. Letter from the Executive President .................................................................. 2009, A new beginning â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A leap forward .......................................................... Part I: Activities 2009 .......................................................................................... A) Introduction to the Program portfolio ........................................................................... B) Treatment & Rehabilitation Program .............................................................................. 1) Therapy sessions .............................................................................................................. 2) Summer camps ................................................................................................................. 3) Vocational Rehabilitation .............................................................................................. 4) Success Indicators ............................................................................................................ C) Capacity Building and Research ....................................................................................... 1) Capacity building ............................................................................................................. a) Organizations Capacity building trainings ........................................................ c) In-service Trainings .................................................................................................... d) Trainings for Law Enforcement Agencies ........................................................... 2) Research .............................................................................................................................. 3) Success Indicators ............................................................................................................ D) Advocacy & Public Awareness .......................................................................................... 1) Public Awareness Workshops ...................................................................................... 2) Media and Publications ................................................................................................. 3) Ramadan Traditional Breakfast .................................................................................... 4) Commemoration Days ................................................................................................... a) April 17th, Palestinian Prisonersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; day .................................................................... b) June 26th, UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture .............. 5) Success Indicators ............................................................................................................ E) Networking .............................................................................................................................. Coalitions and partnerships .............................................................................................. F) Institutional development ................................................................................................. Restructuring process ......................................................................................................... TRC in Media ........................................................................................................ Budget Analysis ................................................................................................... Audit Report ........................................................................................................

Annual Report

This Report & Acknowledgment

Acknowledgments

reatment and Rehabilitation Center for victims of Torture would like to acknowledge the generosity of the following organizations and Agencies for their contributions during 2009; their support has enabled TRC to amplify the provision of its various services to victims of torture, their families and the community including Treatment & Rehabilitation, Capacity building trainings , Advocacy & Public awareness and Research. • • • • • • • • • •

European Union “ EU” Swiss Agency For Development & Cooperation “SDC” Netherlands Representative Office “NRO’ The Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development “AECID” Asociacion para la Gestion de la Integracion Social “ GINSO’ Asociacion Europea de Cooperacion con Palestina “ Asecop” Norwegian Church Aid “NCA” UN Voluntary Fund For Victims Of Torture “UNVFVT” Center For Victims of Torture “CVT” International Rehabilitation Council For Torture Survivors “IRCT”

Funding Partners: SDC Support: On January 1, 2009 the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) represented by SDC office in the West Bank and Gaza and the TRC signed an agreement by which SDC grants TRC a financial contribution covering 18% of the effective program costs as a core contribution towards the realization of the activities of TRC. TRC undertakes to use the contribution solely for the objectives of the program.

The project is entitled to cover the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 209. European Support: Action 1: The European Community “EC”, represented by the Commission of the European Communities and the TRC signed an agreement (EIDHR/ 2008/147-998) dated December 15, 2008 by which the EC has agreed to support the TRC to support the implementation of the action entitled “Breaking the Silence, Saying no to Torture”. This 3-year project, which is financed by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), mainly aims at reducing the prevalence of torture practiced against the Palestinians and the sufferings of those who have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment. To realize this objective, the project adopts several effective preventive mechanisms that collectively contribute to the education and dissemination of information relating to the prohibition of torture. “ Breaking the silence , saying no to torture” campaign, Dissemination of “ Know your rights kit”, torture prevention training kit and lobbying and training of Law enforcement agencies constitute the component activities the project adopts to educate on the prohibition of torture. Action 2: The European Community “EC”, represented by the Commission of the European Communities and the TRC signed an agreement (EIDHR/ 2008/148-063) dated December 15, 2008 by which the EC has agreed to support the TRC to support the implementation of the action entitled “Sustaining & Enhancing Comprehensive, Community-based Service Delivery to Victims of Torture and Politically Motivated Violence Living in the North and South of the West Bank”.

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The project is valid for 36 month starting on January 1, 2009. Project implemented by Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture and financed by the European Commission from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights. It aims towards: (1)Expand services for victims of torture and politically organized violence benefiting from TRC’s psychiatric, medical and psycho-social rehabilitative services through in-office therapy sessions, Outreach Program and specific activities targeting victims of torture and politically motivated violence and their families, with particular focus on women and children; (2) Enable exdetainees to be economically independent; (3) Contribute to raising general awareness of human rights issues and the consequences of torture; (4) Provide in-service staff training and development and provide the branch offices with appropriate facilities. Center for Victims of Torture (CVT): In part of their commitment to reach out to the Palestinian community, raising awareness on mental health and Human Rights and advocating for a behavioral and systemic change, to assist TRC’s to Capacity Building, the CVT has supported TRC to assist in those goals in 2009. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA): The TRC signed an agreement with the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) to support its treatment and rehabilitation services for 2009; based on the 2008-2009 strategic plan adhered to. This grant is a portion of the NCA’s generous commitments throughout the years. Representative Office of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (NRO): An agreement has been signed between NRO and TRC on February 16, 2009, to help the center accomplishing its

goals and objectives as a core contribution towards the realization of the activities of TRC. TRC undertakes to use the contribution solely for the objectives of the program based on the Strategic Plan 2009 – 2011 objectives and activities. The project is entitled to cover the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011. United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT): The UNVFVT granted TRC support to cover some costs incurred by the Center specifically those related to the victims of torture including medications, transportation and others. Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development: As a part of the Peace Construction project, this is led by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development “AECID” in the Palestinian territory, the agency supports TRC to cover the activities of the project titled “Elimination of Consequences of Torture and Organized Violence via the Provision of Treatment and Rehabilitation Services for Victims of Torture and Organized Violence” that was approved by the Agency on the 26th of May, 2009. The implementation of the project’s activities started on the 1st of November, 2009 and will be finalized at the end of December, 2010. European Association for Cooperation with Palestine: At the beginnings of 2009, the European Association for Cooperation with Palestine “ASECOP” supported TRC to cover the activities of the project “Improving the mental health status of direct and indirect victims of torture and organized violence in Palestine” that was initiated by the center on the 1st of January 2009 and was finalized on the 31st of December of the same year.

European Union “ EU”

Swiss Agency For Development & Cooperation “SDC”

Asociacion Europea de Cooperacion con Palestina “ Asecop”

Norwegian Church Aid “NCA”

Netherlands Representative Office “NRO’ UN Voluntary Fund For Victims Of Torture “UNVFVT”

The Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development “AECID” Center For Victims of Torture “CVT”

Asociacion para la Gestion de la Integracion Social “ GINSO’

International Rehabilitation Council For Torture Survivors “IRCT”

Annual Report Preface

Identity of TRC

he Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC) is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organization. TRC is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by a Board of International Advisors. TRC works to reduce the traumatic and devastating physical and psychological consequences of torture and politically motivated violence, as well as the retaliatory behaviour of the victims. TRC also aims to promote Human Rights in Palestine by researching and disseminating information regarding the plight of the torture victims. TRC main program is the Treatment and Rehabilitation Program. Through this, TRC offers the victims and their families’ comprehensive medical, psychiatric, physical, and psychosocial care –that is completely free of charge, in a safe and comfortable atmosphere. TRC also works to combat systematic torture and violence throughout the West Bank. It also aims to tackle the belief of impunity that often the perpetrators feel, as well as the complete feeling of hopelessness often experienced by the victims. It aims to do all this through its training, research and advocacy programs. TRC’s main headquarters is in Ramallah and it has established branch offices in Jenin, Hebron and Nablus. The main Goals of TRC are as follows: a. TRC will continue providing and developing Treatment and Rehabilitation Services for Victims of Torture and Organized Violence, and their families. b. TRC will help build a culture that fights torture and organized violence, and advocate the rights of Victims

of Torture to ensure visibility of its work and to call the attention to the needs and rights of torture survivors. It will aim to create awareness about this often overlooked group. c. TRC will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and experiences and build the capacity of individuals as well as other relevant organizations and institutions through training of trainers programs, coaching and other interventions, as appropriate. d. In order to ensure that TRC operates efficiently, effectively and in a sustainable mode, Board and Management will build the proper management and financial systems and procedures, and will continuously upgrade them, while attaining the principles of Integrity, Accountability and Transparency. Our History The idea for the organization was born out of the violations committed by Israel in more than 50 years they have occupied the Palestinian territories. This has included a policy of mass imprisonment and systematic torture (despite the fact that Israel is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Torture), as well as consistent violence, abuse and degrading treatment on a regular, daily basis. The centre was founded in 1997 by a Palestinian psychiatrist and human rights activist, Dr. Mahmud Sehwail who has been visiting and treating Palestinian prisoners in Israeli Jails on a voluntary basis as early as 1983 and who is currently the Executive President of the centre. Since its founding, the Centre has gradually expanded its work to include training, outreach, public awareness, research, crisis intervention and prevention activities as well as international networking with similar centers worldwide.

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TRC team is a multidisciplinary team, well integrated, updated and mostly cohesive in it's therapy approach. It is composed of highly devoted and experienced staff and continually eager for the enhancement of knowledge, development and human rights promotion.

Vision and Mission Vision “A Society Free from Torture” Mission Building on the vast pool of internally generated knowledge and expertise, as well as those available globally, the Treatment & Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC) will deploy all its programs and activities to reach out torture survivors and deliver highly needed treatment and rehabilitation services in a “Model Building” approach; to provide “Capacity Building” interventions and facilitate knowledge exchange to and between individuals and relevant organizations and institutions; and to serve as a “Strong Voice” for Torture Survivors through Advocacy and Public Awareness Campaigns, all in an integrated approach that incorporates Mental Health and Human Rights as per International Laws , and within a “Sustainable” mode.

Perspective on Torture Torture is an atrocity that concerns the world community. It is the purposeful and systematic annihilation of a human being’s physical and psychological well-being. The negative repercussions of torture not only hinder the victim’s quality of life in general, but are designed to shake the very foundation and dignity of entire communities. It is an abomination that, although strictly prohibited by international human rights and humanitarian law under any circumstances, is nevertheless practiced in the majority of the world’s countries. A 2001 report by

Amnesty International highlighted the use of torture by 140 states between 1997 and 2001, and found that every year thousands of perpetrators beat , rape and electrocute other human beings. According to Article I in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment “CAT” , 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 acquiesance of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity". Definitions of torture vary slightly between different international treaties but generally cover any act which: • • •

causes severe pain or suffering; is intentionally inflicted on a person; is done to obtain information or a confession, punishment for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or to intimidate or coerce him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind; and is done at the instigation of, or with the consent or acquiescence of, a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.

Treatment & Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture “TRC” adopts those definitions when defining torture; however, in the case of Palestine, acts that can be classified as ill-treatment are not limited to those perpetrated during detention or interrogation. Instead, they further include

acts that interfere in the daily life of Palestinians like the Wall, ill-treatment at the military checkpoints, closure policies, curfews, military invasion to the Palestinian villages and towns, confiscation of lands, house demolitions, target killings and the settlements and separation wall. Israel has internationally been classified among the states in which torture policy against Palestinian detainees has been systematic and legitimized by Israel's judicial system and government. And despite a landmark decision on September 6, 1999 by the Israeli High Supreme Court outlawing the use of arbitrary torture as an interrogation method, which revealed Israel as the only ‘democratic’ state in the world that permitted torture by law, methods of torture are still applied by Israeli interrogators of Palestinian detainees. These methods include violent shaking, isolation, beating, kicking, sleep deprivation, agonizing positioning and infliction of pain for prolonged periods of time. The notorious Landau Commission Recommendations of 1987 approved the use of ‘moderate physical pressure and non-violent psychological pressure’ during the interrogation of Palestinian detainees. Landau Commission Recommendations override the Israeli High Court law by labeling Israel’s designation of the Palestinian Territories as ‘exceptional’ circumstances, thus justifying the need for ‘protective defense policies’ and the need to conduct ‘effective investigations’ in order to ensure security. In cases that Israel practiced torture against Palestinian prisoners, explanations and justifications have been based on the necessity of torture due to these ‘exceptional circumstances’. Confessions extracted through torture are admissible in Israeli court. B’Tselem (the Israeli Information

Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories) reports that over 85% of Palestinian detainees are tortured during interrogation. TRC’s statistics reveal that 40% of those who are tortured suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). TRC works to embrace the Palestinian community at all levels and alleviate, if not erase, the enormous negative effects that torture has on the individual, family and community. TRC’s treatment activities target exdetainees and their families; however survivors of other types of trauma and violence (particularly in relation to the current political situation and consequences of war) and certain social cases referred to the Center by other institutions (Ministry of Detainees’ Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Health) are also welcome. TRC is often the only available resource for the mental health care of victims of torture and organized violence in the mostly impoverished West Bank population, who cannot afford paying for treatment in private clinics. It is this segment of the population that is also the most vulnerable to the current violence, closures, curfews, sieges and systematic economic strangulation, and thus the most susceptible to stress-related disorders. All necessary medication, health care and therapy are provided to the patient free of charge. Throughout the years, TRC has developed a strong referral system. It can sometimes take years for victims of torture and political violence and their families to realize that they need help and seek appropriate care. TRC’s referral system and Outreach Program makes it possible for all those in need of care to receive dedicated, high-quality comprehensive medical and psychosocial services.

Annual Report Letter from the Executive President

TRC, Renewed Faith towards Palestine Free Of Torture

or TRC, the year 2009 was so critical from a developmental perspective. In that year, a new strategic plan was built; an external evaluation for the organization was made; the restructuring process , which had been planned for with the intention to enhance TRC’s developmental role in the society , was successfully accomplished and TRC started to change gradually to become a knowledgebased and a source of information related to human rights, mental health and torture on the national, regional and international levels All these changes came to coincide with TRC’s vision towards the concept of “sustainable development” which can be summarized in three words: evaluation, conclusion and renovation.

In the last two years, we started networking with a number of developmental and administrative companies with the intention to enhance the administrative, financial, and operational capacities of the center. In this regard, a specialized company was contracted to lead the restructuring process of the organization and to develop new internal procedures that fit with the increasing duties and work load of the center’s staff. The restructuring process, which was successfully finalized in November 2009, was basically intended to increase the efficiency and capacities of our working staffs, believing that investment in the human resources represents the ideal recipe for fostering TRC’s developmental mission inside the Palestinian community.

It’s our firm belief that development, renovation and keeping up with the latest scientific developments in fields related to our work represent the ideal recipe to keep fostering our developmental mission in the community and to realize the desired short-term and long-term impacts of our developmental plans; mainly reducing torture in Palestine and elimination of its consequences.

The process required us to deeply review and actualize the internal regulations and procedures, restructure the already existing departments, create new departments, put a new salary scale and bringing in new employees for emerging job vacancies as a result of the restructuring process. Although a real evaluation of the process can not be realized several months after, indicators of the success of the process has begun surfacing. Other success indicators can be deduced from added professionalism by the new employees, the easiness and smoothness in the collaboration and integration among the departments and within the departments themselves and the qualitative work achievements.

TRC has gotten its fame in the society for the high-quality services provided for victims of torture and their families. And along the past years, achievements have accumulated on the organizational, national and international levels. On the organizational level, the center displayed a full commitment towards developing the capacities of its staffs belonging to its various departments; on the national level, the center has become a focal point to build the capacities of relevant organizations ; while on the international level , the center contributed to building the capacities of staffs from several oversees organizations working in similar fields. For instance, the center provided training in the field of mental health and the international law for a number of mental health professionals and human rights defenders in Turkey in 2007.

On the international level, the year 2009 also witnessed a noticeable increase in funding opportunities from a number of developmental agencies thanks to the existence of a well – built organization with wellcapacitated implementing body. The presence of TRC in the international developmental and humanitarian events including forums, conferences , hearing sessions , dialogues and commemoration events was also remarkable.

Annual Report 2009, A new beginning – A leap forward:

By: Khader Rasras, TRC’s Executive Director

he past year was very exciting for us. It represents a critical point in a long curve of our developmental activities and programs as a package of positive developmental initiatives were launched with the intention to further institutionalizing the organization. And despite the new horizons opened, we, at TRC, have remained committed to working toward an end to torture and organized violence in Palestine. In 2009, TRC went far in enhancing its developmental relationships with a number of local public and academic institutions as well as international academic and professional institutes. In this regard, it signed several memoranda of understanding and agreements with a number of public and private institutions including ministries and universities. For example, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Interior according to which TRC will be entitled to continue providing capacity-building trainings to the law enforcement agencies in the fields of human rights and international law. TRC also signed a memorandum of understanding with Ministry of Detainees and Ex-detainees affairs to provide capacity building training to its operating staff. On the other hand , the relations between TRC and the academic sector in Palestine is being reinforced in a number of aspects including providing practical trainings for students in fields of mental health and human rights “ psychology and sociology students” , international law “ students specialized in law” and psychiatric medications “ for nursing students”. In some of these universities, TRC has been imparted a number of seats devoted for ex-detainees who are willing to pursue their higher studies. Moreover, TRC has been approved by several national and international universities as a main organization

for student internships and trainings. Developmental cooperation with national and international academic and professional institutes also benefited TRC in the field of the organizational capacity. In 2009, it fruited that 20 of TRC’s professionals having gotten TOT certificates as internationally certified trainers. On the other hand, some oversees professional institutes commissioned experts to TRC to develop its database system to fit with its increasing role as a knowledgebased organization. TRC has also been nominated by international organizations to share its experiences on the international level. For instance, the center For Victims Of Torture “CVT” nominated TRC to offer its experience in training of Law Enforcement Officials through the project “ New Tactics In Human Rights” , and TRC effectively participated in the on-line dialogue , one of the component activities of this project. The latest months of 2009 witnessed the restructuring process of the organization, which was an urgent necessity to enhance the organizational sustainability. The process resulted in the creation of new departments, restructuring the already existing departments and hiring new staff for newly emergent positions as a result of the process. Nowadays, TRC enjoys an administrative team that is highly-spirited, well-built and smoothly coordinated and supported by the local community. More over, the various departments are lead by an experienced staff that adopts the multidisciplinary team work approach as decisions and activities are implemented, monitored and evaluated. In addition, these staff work transparently, responsibly and professionally .

Annual Report Part I: Activities 2009

A) Introduction to the Program portfolio

RC operates its 4 programs in a manner that emphasizes the community integration approach; in other words, these programs are well designed to influence not only the main target groups “victims of torture and organized violence”, but the Palestinian community as well, which would also enable victims of torture and organized violence to function more adaptively in the community. On the other hand, the success of each program to a large extent is due to the complementary features among these programs. The treatment and rehabilitation program, for instance, was mainly designed to help reintegrate victims of torture into their communities via providing them with an integrate package of treatment and rehabilitation services. To achieve its task, there is a need to make the community more aware of and more supportive to the human rights of victims of torture, which is the main task of TRC’s advocacy and public awareness program; there is a need for accurate information on victims of torture and the community, which is the main task of our research.

This program provides an array of services particularly therapy sessions, psychiatric assessment, summer camps for children and vocational rehabilitation. 1) Therapy sessions In order to meet the objectives as indicated in the Strategic Plan, the treatment team has conducted several types of therapy (individual, family and group), thus, along the year 2009; Location of Therapy Sessions 10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

The working team consists mainly of therapists, social workers and psychologists, and psychiatrists, not mentioning the integration of services and interrelation with other departments. The team acquires specialized degrees and specialization in fields such as Human Rights and democracy.

4024

2,000

B) Treatment & Rehabilitation Program This program mainly aims as a first step at reducing the traumatic and devastating physical and psychological consequences of torture and politically-motivated violence, and at reducing the retaliatory behavior through offering the victims and their families an integrated package of medical, psychiatric and psychosocial care.

9654

0 In Office

• • • • • • •

Outreach

1165 cases benefited from TRC services Through a total of 13678 individual psychotherapy sessions. 636 cases were direct victims of torture who mainly included tortured ex-detainees, wounded, cases of illtreatment The number of cases included 535 females 9654 sessions were provided through the outreach; representing 71% of the total number of provided sessions. 3857 consultation sessions for 1942 cases were provided; 15 group therapy courses for groups of primary and secondary victims of torture and were conducted (5

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in Ramallah; 3 in Nablus; 4 in Hebron and 3 in Jenin) targeting direct victims of torture “ex-detainees” specifically, and indirect victims of torture including family therapy, women and children.

raising meetings, recreational and Sports activities such as playing games and exercises, where sport is considered as a catharsis. Location distribution

2) Summer camps TRC has always dedicated great importance to children as primary and secondary victims of torture through the devotion of an essential part of its programs and activities to them. They constitute a major target group for its preventive and intervention activities, and the Summer Camp is considered one of the most important components of this program though by themselves, summer camps do not constitute a separate therapy tool; instead, they are planned to be a therapeutic stage in longer treatment plans for children victims of torture.

100

In 2009, 279 children attended the three- week summer camps. The vast majority of participating children were either direct victims of torture, sons or brothers of detainees or ex-detainees, members of bereaved families or victims of social and family violence (5% of the caseload). The Summer Camp Booklet was prepared and published including all detailed activities and success stories. Major activities of TRC’s 2009 summer camps included handicrafts and painting on wood and fabric, Folklore dancing, singing, swimming, and acting, psychodrama, stress inoculation sessions with expert therapists and the psychiatrist of the TRC, educational and learning sessions through a variety of psycho-educational and awareness-

Hebron

Jenin

0 Ramallah

In this framework, TRC organized four summer camps in the four locations (Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus and Hebron). The summer camps combined developmental and recreational activities with therapeutic sessions.

Nablus

Number of Children

In addition, the 2009 summer camps witnessed the involvement of partner organizations to participate in the Summer Camp activities particularly the UN high commissioner office though the ‘human rights corner’ (all locations) and the simulation of democratic elections (in Jenin) as children were introduced to basic principles of human rights and children’s rights. In Jenin, children simulated democratic parliamentary elections through holding their own elections under the supervision of representatives of the UN high commissioner office. It is worth mentioning that 9 of girls of 13 nominees won the elections given that the number of participants was 40 male, 20 female, noting that an election campaign preceded the elections. Other partner organizations participated in the camps' activities as well through various participations,

organizations such as Right to Play Institution, al-Kamanjati institution, the Red Crescent and others. 3) Vocational Rehabilitation: As an integral part of the treatment plan, TRC provides Vocational Rehabilitation for a selected number of victims of torture. The program aims towards assisting the participants in acquiring necessary skills that will enable them to pursue a career and thus ensure proper reintegration in the community. Such economic empowering has an impact on various layers of the participants and their families. It has been measured that there is evident empowerment on the psychological, social and economical level of the participants. During this year, 20 victims of torture though the Hebron Branch received vocational training as part of the vocational rehabilitation program. A focus group was formulated to assess the participants’ needs, aspires and the market needs as well. The participants expressed the kind of training they wish to receive through focus groups and a needs assessment study, and thus 2 participated in the Mosaic, Training 60, hours of theoretical training and 60 in practical, 8 participated in the certified Hair Dressing and cosmetics course, and 10 participated in the certified computer skills and office equipment course. The tools particularly for the hair dressing and mosaic necessary for the training were also provided. It was also agreed with the trainer that the participants will be offered work following the training especially in the mosaic training. The training was monitored closely through visits to training sites and feedback from the trainees. 4) Success Indicators A key indicator has been developed to assess the longterm impacts of this program either on victims of torture

or on the community. The indicator is “Number of annual cases who are fully reintegrated into their communities after receiving the treatment” and it can be smoothly reformulated in sub-indicators such as “Percentage of active cases who developed better communications within their families after the treatment”, “percentage of active cases who could find work opportunity or who could adapt to their work conditions after receiving the treatment”, “percentage of children who could normally return to follow their studies at schools” and “ percentage of VOTs who could have launched an initiative “ social, economic , academic,….” after the treatment”. The following sub-indicators demonstrate the impacts of the program in 2009: •

•

More than 75% of the discharged cases who finished the treatment have displayed better communications within the family. TRC utilizes objective and subjective scales to monitor and assess improvement based on clients’ opinion as well. More than 2/3 of the discharged cases could launch a certain initiative in their lives. Examples of these initiatives include marriage, income-generating project, joining some college, or society integration sportive clubs. The treatment and rehabilitation department reported that 27 out of 53 unemployed on 2009 active caseload have successfully found job careers after having received the treatment in 2009 despite the economic and unemployment levels in the country which is considered as a challenge for others, while 21 children were reported to having returned back into their school seats in a normal way.

Other indicators of the program’s impact on the communal level appear in the in-take process and the stigma related to mental health in the Palestinian community. Among other sources of referrals, 8% were client-referrals. In other

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words, they were referred to the center by other clients who had previously received TRC's support. This is an indication of the impact the program has on our clients due to the high quality services provided to them and the increasing awareness of TRC's humanitarian mission among the Palestinian citizens. Such awareness is mainly attributed to and strength and effectiveness of TRC's media campaigns and advocacy and public awareness programs. The 8% referred to the center by other clients also indicates that the program contributes to the reduction of the social stigma that haunts victims of torture due to their mental sufferings.

C) Capacity Building and Research Capacity Building and Research is the second component of TRC portfolio. This program aims towards facilitating the transfer of knowledge and experiences and build the capacity of individuals as well as other relevant

organizations and institutions through training of trainers programs, coaching and other interventions, as appropriate. The trainings and research play a crucial role in enhancing the culture of human rights in the Palestinian community. In addition, they act as a tool to transmit knowledge and exchange experiences among individuals and organizations in a sustainable and efficient mode. 1) Capacity building To achieve this goal, TRC designed four kinds of training depending on the subject of training, the aim of the training and the groups targeted; Trainings for Students and Professionals: •

• •

Three levels are designed to meet the need of the target group; the introductory training level in mental health and human rights targeting mainly university students and newly graduates, the intermediate level particularly in the branches with a more advanced practical curriculum design, and the advanced level targeting professionals in the field of mental health and human rights. Along the year 2009, TRC provided the following trainings: A total of five training course in the introductory and intermediate level on “Principles of applied mental health” were conducted benefiting 134 students; three trainings for a total of 79 university students; in Jenin (28), Hebron (25) and Nablus (26) from February 23rd to June 8th concurrently, simultaneously, two trainings were organized in Ramallah from February 22nd to May 24th and from October 4th to January 1st 2010 with the participation of 25 and 30 university students respectively

•

Two trainings in the advanced level on “Trauma and crisis intervention” were organized from February 24th to May 26th and from October 6th to January 12th with the participation of 29 and 23 students respectively.

During this year, two in-service training courses were conducted; •

a) Organizations Capacity building trainings: TRC provided the following trainings during 2009: •

Two capacity building trainings for a total of 31 employees from the UNRWA on “the protocol of crisis intervention”. Both trainings were held in TRC’s main office in Ramallah. The first was organized on the 13th and 14th of May and the second on the 20th and 21st of the same month. • TRC also provided a training course on “the Basic Counseling Skills” for 19 employees from the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-detainees affairs. The training was also held in TRC’s office in Ramallah on the 18th and 19th of November. • A two-day training course targeting a mixed group consisting of 19 of students, TRC’s therapists and employees from governmental and nongovernmental institutions from 27th and 28th of June on Psychodrama. These workshops often address immediate needs and provide essential skills accordingly. b) In-service Trainings: As a part of TRC’s institutional sustainability, TRC fully realizes the importance of maintaining and developing the capacities of the personnel. In this regard, TRC is keen to keep pace with the latest scientific developments and work methodologies related to therapy modalities, psychological disorders and psychiatric medications. To this end, TRC coordinates with international expert institutions and contracts international experts to provide these trainings and also provide continuous supervision.

•

A training course on eye movement and desensitization (EMDR) for 19 employees and participants from other partner and governmental organizations from the 16th to the 18th of March. The international expert in EMDR therapy Mr. James Stuart Knipe from the “EMDR international Association- EMDRIA” was contracted for this purpose. This method is internationally recognized as a modern and effective method when dealing with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other disorders). EMDR was proven to be an effective method when working with high traumatization and stress related disorder. A training on “Narrative Therapy” was organized from the 6th to 17th of December with the cooperation of the Dulwich Center in Australia, the International expert in narrative therapy Ms. Sue Mitchell was contracted to provide the narrative therapy training. The training was attended by 20 of TRC’s staff, 2 TRC affiliates or volunteers, 3 from the Ministry of Education, one from the Ministry of Ex-detainees affairs and 2 from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. This treatment model is considered as culturally appropriate and suitable when dealing with bereaved families and narrating traumatic events.

c) Trainings for Law Enforcement Agencies: TRC gives great emphasis, effort and time on this component of the trainings. The importance of such training is not only related to the training in human rights which will enhance and maintain the Human Rights status, but also for the multiplier effect in transferring the knowledge acquired in the training courses to other officers and personnel. Such training are preventive in nature in addition to the educational component. It is assumed that training the

Annual Report

personnel will minimize the human rights violations. A follow-up program is determined and will be conducted during the year 2010 to assess the impact of such training in coordination with the Ministry of Interior. TRC worked this year to empower the relation with the Ministry itself which was crowned by the signature of the memorandum of understanding with the ministry. The cooperation between TRC and the ministry was also evident in the two meetings held between TRC representatives and the Minister of Interior Himself. The training this year was designed based on a needs assessment as meeting with the training department and the heads of each of the security agencies preceded the design of the curriculum. During this training, five three-day training workshops were conducted targeting 120 security personnel mainly of the interrogation and detention section from August to October under the title “Enhancing Respect of Human Rights” where two were held in Ramallah, and three were held in Nablus, Jenin and Hebron. Basic topics of the curriculum included Palestinian fundamental law; international human rights concepts and traditions; including CAT and the Optional Protocol (OPCAT) the Geneva Convention; Palestinian Basic Law, case studies drawn from TRC files that present personal, individualized stories of torture and its impacts and the theory and practice of non-violent conflict resolution. A post-training evaluation of these trainings illustrated high degree of satisfaction among the trainees on the training content, the trainers and TRC’s work in general. The training included a graduation prerequisite as participants were asked in groups to deliver a presentation. 2) Research Sustainable development requires the availability of precise information about the target communities and their developmental needs. For TRC , research not only

represents a source of information related to human right violations , torture and mental health , but it enables TRC from the continuous evaluation of its programs and activities also. In 2009, TRC’s research focused on some important areas including: trends of mental health services, TRC’s work, torture and its methodologies and TRC’s summer camps. In this regard, TRC’s research department conducted the following researches and studies: 1. General trends of mental health services – Attitude, impressions and conceptualization of Mental Health. 2. A comparative study of TRC’s work and achievements during the years 2007 and 2008 3. Torture of Palestinian detainees in the Occupation Detention Centers, its methodologies and impacts. 4. An evaluation study on the impact of the summer camps program, and the therapeutic activities on traumatized children. Another important aspect of the work of this department is Documentation. TRC focused on documenting torture cases in the Palestinian Detention centers. The number of documented torture cases reported at TRC during 2009 was 289. Through the communication channels between TRC and the Ministry of Interior, situation reports and torture cases reports in order to follow up on the cases. Several researches will be published in 2010. 3) Success Indicators Capacity building trainings provided by TRC are considered one of the foremost ways to educate and disseminate information related to the prohibition of torture and organized violence. They can influence the culture and the values that prevail in the Palestinian society with regard to the human rights, torture and mental health. One of the

indicators that demonstrate the impact of these trainings on the communal level is that Most of these trainings were organized upon request or willingness of the trainees or their employer institutions .For example, the 7 trainings provided in the field of mental health and crisis intervention were not announced for in local media tools. 100% of the trainees had previously applied to receive these trainings without being informed in local media. When they were asked about their sources of information on these trainings, they reported that they knew about them from other colleagues and organizations. They also said that the credibility and reputation that the trainings’ certificate has in the Palestinian formal sector including the Ministry of education was a decisive factor. Trainees also informed that TRC’s certificate of these trainings is nowadays considered a prerequisite to compete for a job vacancy either in the formal or the informal sector. TRC’s research and documentation department has documented that 23 people of the trainees who participated in these trainings in 2009 got their jobs. Other trainings like those provided for the employees of UNRWA and the Ministry of Ex-detainees affairs were provided upon the request of these organizations, which indicates that TRC has become a destination for other institutions that wish to build their capacities in issues related to human rights and mental health. Actually, the present is witnessing a competency among local human rights organizations to reserve a time and a seat in TRC to receive such trainings. The training given to the Ministry of ex-detainees affairs has also had its impact from other perspective. The quality of this training, as well as its capability to meet the needs of the Ministry’s employees, both have pushed the ministry to start strengthening its mutual relations with TRC towards the end of benefiting from the center’s experience and services. The ministry’s clear desire in a closer relationship with TRC was manifested in the Minister’s visit to the center on the 18th

of January 2010. The new of 2010 is that a Memorandum of Understanding is expected to come between TRC and the Ministry in the few next months. According to this Memorandum, TRC will be authorized to keep providing additional trainings on the same topic and other related topics to the employees of the Ministry. The Impact of Trainings of Law Enforcement Agencies, which will eventually extend to the community, culminated in the Memorandum of understanding that was signed between the center and the Ministry of interior on July 8th, 2009. The memorandum came in support of TRC’s intention to continue providing and amplifying these trainings in the coming years. Although the in-hand report is concerned only in 2009, it doesn’t go without indicating that the 2nd of February 2010 witnessed the extension of the signed Memorandum of understanding to cover the year 2010. The new in this extension is that TRC’s work with the ministry of interior will not be limited to the provision of these trainings. Instead TRC is from that day on will be authorized to broadening its activities targeting the law Enforcement Agencies to include raising awareness workshops.

Annual Report

Trainings provided by TRC to Palestinian law Enforcement Officials have had their impacts not only on the local level, but on the international level also. In the latest months of 2009, TRC was invited to participate in the “New Tactics In human rights” project, which is led worldwide by the Center for Victims of Torture “CVT”. Both the success of TRC’s torture prevention strategies and the remarkable impact they attained on the local level pushed the CVT to ask TRC to be a core partner in this project. One of the most effective component activities of this project is the “On-line dialogue featuring new tactics in torture prohibition”, which was enriched through TRC’s participation that focused on the training of Law Enforcement Officers and the various aspects of training methodologies and their significance to help upgrade and develop law enforcement officer’s capacities to better perform their role in preventing or at least diminishing torture occurrences. In this dialogue, TRC offered its experience related to several themes that embody the most relevant issues relating training with both law enforcement and torture prevention. TRC provides these the Law enforcement trainings as a part of a 3-year project funded by the EC and titled “Breaking the silence, saying no to torture”. The impacts these trainings have had on the community pushed the EC to ask TRC for another project proposal that aim to amplify these trainings to include TOT trainings. The proposal was submitted and approved at the beginnings of 2010. The feedback received from the Law Enforcement Agencies is also encouraging as they requested further specialized training in the field.

D) Advocacy & Public Awareness Through this program TRC aims to build a culture that fights torture and organized violence, and to advocate the rights of Victims of Torture, and to ensure visibility of the work and to call the attention to the needs and rights of torture

survivors. This program aims to create awareness about this often overlooked group. To this end, TRC designed an advocacy program that reaches all segments of the community through systematic workshops and meeting which aim not only to raise awareness on various issues and topics, but also assists in the identification of cases that may require further follow up. Moreover, TRC utilizes various media tools and commemoration days to ensure that proper visibility and attention are provided. As an end result, TRC aims to influence decision makers and promote changes to laws and other government policies, and to change the prevalent culture and values related to human rights, mental health and torture among the Palestinians. Furthermore, TRC advocates for its mission and positions regarding human rights, torture and mental health. Therefore, various workshops, panels and public meeting are organized ensuring that members of the legislative council, Palestinian ministries, presidency and other decision-making circles are involved in the hearing sessions, open panels and conferences. 1) Public Awareness Workshops Public Awareness Workshops constitute a basic component of TRC’s advocacy and public awareness program. The Advocacy department organizes these workshops in various areas especially remote areas of West Bank in cooperation with local institutions like communitybased organizations “CBOs”, youth clubs, municipalities, civil society organizations and schools. Workshops are designed and topics are selected depending on the target groups men, women or children, whereas sometimes there are mixed groups. In 2009, 590 public awareness workshops were conducted with focus on women and children being the most vulnerable segment of the society with special needs.

Workshops Distribution

34 % 53 %

1% 12 %

Children

Mixed

Men

Woman

An array of topics are presented during the workshops, inter alia, introduction to TRC, debriefing mechanisms, trauma complications, children rights, and the dilemma of torture. In light of the community needs and current situation, and based on TRC research studies on Children Violence and Community needs, TRC focused the topics on debriefing and children rights as a basic orientation of the work. Of the meetings targeting women, the focus was on trauma and its symptoms, detention and its psychosocial consequences, crisis intervention with children, aggressive behavior in children, bereavement, family violence and stigma. Women represent an essential target group as we believe that they often suffer in silence as wives, daughters and mothers. 2) Media and Publications TRC utilizes various media tools as an effective means to reach out a vast number of people. Through interviews,

various topics are discussed in relation to human rights, mental health and introducing the center. In 2009, TRC staff conducted about 109 media interview on local TV and Radio stations all around the West Bank. The topics addressed in the interviews depend mainly on the programs at the local stations, the situation in the community, and the topics in focus for the month. For instance, during and after the war on Gaza, many of the interviews focused on the psychological effects, children and trauma. Introducing the center and informing the public about its daily or monthly activities help the center strengthen its role in the community and reach the maximum number of victims of torture and organized violence, while the dissemination of information on torture, its definition, its methodologies and consequences coincides with TRCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main task within the community, which is promoting the human rights of tortured through the dissemination of information related to it and its prohibition. Moreover, TRC utilized various newspapers and electronic media to maintain highest visibility possible through announcing all activities in various ways. Titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Breaking the Silence, Saying No to Torture!â&#x20AC;?, TRC launched the multi facet media campaign containing Three TV and Eight Radio spots that will be broadcasted

Annual Report

for over a month, Newspapers Advertisements in all newspapers, a twelve-episode TV program hosted and produced by TRC on various Human Rights Issues, in addition to advertising using the electricity and phone bills. The program will host prominent figures in the community among them Mr. Essa Qarraqe, Minister of Detainees and Ex-detainees Affairs, representatives from various governmental and non-governmental organizations, exdetainees, and experts. The main topics will cover various Human Rights issues related to the Palestinian situation. The material is being produced and will be broadcasted during early 2010. A copy will be provided once the material is finalized. Furthermore, Sanabel newsletter was published during the year 2009. The edition focused on violence in the Palestinian society in addition to statistical figure on the Palestinian detainees including all information related to the detainees.

TRC is almost daily consulted for several social issues, Palestine Space Channel, Wattan TV, Ajya Radio, Angham Radio, Al Sharq Radio, so as in the branches. 3) Ramadan Traditional Breakfast TRC used to organize this traditional breakfast for victims of torture and their families during the holly month of Ramadan each year. The main purpose of organizing such breakfasts is to make victims of torture and their families feel that they are not alone and that the Palestinian community shares them their sufferings. As these breakfasts are usually accompanied by massive media coverage, then they represent an opportunity to shed light on the sufferings of victims of torture and their families and to enhance the community’s support for them.

Various publications were prepared as well such as the Summer Camp Booklet, the Annual Report, conference related packages such as posters, brochures, leaflets, banners, etc. Moreover, a manual titled “Detention Guide” is being prepared. The manual targets youth between the age of 15 – 35 whom are most prone for arrest to inform them of their rights in the detention process. The guide aims at educating the target group of their rights in the detention process according to the international, Israeli and even Palestinian rules and laws to prevent violations. Focus groups as an assessment tool was utilized to better know the needs of the target group and to participate in the publication of the manual. The material was compiled, and book in design. It is estimated that the book will be published in earl 2010. A copy will be provided.

In 2009, TRC organized three breakfasts during the month of Ramadan. The first was in Saleem Afandi Halls in Ramallah on the 9th of September, the second and third were in Al-Ameer halls in Jenin and Badran halls in Ramallah on the 16th and the 17th of the same month respectively. More than 1200 people from ex-detainees

and their families, families of detainees, bereaved families and children attended these breakfasts. In addition to this large number of the target groups, the breakfasts of 2009 were characterized by the presence of a number of the highlighted men and women from the Palestinian formal sector in addition to a number of representatives of national and international non-governmental organizations. The breakfasts in Jenin and Hebron, which was organized in cooperation with the Charitable Commission of Arab Emirates, were witnessed by the governors, the heads of municipalities and representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions. Ramallah’s event was attended by the Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad, several legislative council members among them Ms. Khaleda Jarrar and Mr. Qais Abu Laila in addition to a crowd of representatives of formal sector “Ministries of education and ex-detainees affairs” and civil society organizations as well as representatives of International human rights organizations. TRC Board Members attended most of these events as well. The meeting was an opportunity for the participants to enjoy in addition to the feast, some poetry, Folklore dance and traditional songs. In Ramallah, Dr. Fayyad gave his word welcoming the attendees and highlighting the role of TRC in advancing the human rights of victims of torture. The meeting was an opportunity for the participants to address the Prime Minister and the other officials with questions and remarks related to the conditions of the Palestinian detention centers and the question of Palestinian detainees in the Occupation Detention Centers. In His answers, he indicated that the work on improving the conditions of Palestinian detention centers is in progress, and concerning the issue of Palestinian detainees in the Occupation Detention Centers, he assured that the issue represents an ultimate priority to the Palestinian government on all levels. Such events represent a venue where the people can address the official on various levels

to share worries and concerns and among all to form support groups to each other. 4) Commemoration Days Every year, as part of the advocacy program, TRC commemorates the Palestinian Prisoners Day and the UN Day in Support of Victims of Torture thought holding conferences, training and workshops, in addition to participating actively in commemorating the December 10th Human Rights UN day. The events are organized by TRC and attended by various sectors of the community. Official presence is always maintained. Moreover, international participation is also taken into consideration. a) April 17th, Palestinian Prisoners’ day: TRC commemorated this day through holding four conferences in Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin and Nablus. In Ramallah, and on the 16th of April, TRC held conference titled “Towards a national plan to advance the issues of Palestinian and Arab Detainees in the Occupation Detention Centers”. The conference, which was held in Al-Bireh Municipality Hall, was attended the Minister of the Detainees and Ex-detainees Affairs, members of the legislative council, representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions, heads of representative offices in the PNA and international humanitarian bodies in addition to hundreds of ex-detainees and their families. Keynote speakers in the conference considered issues related to the humanistic, psychological, and social dimensions of detention, short and long term impacts of torture on detainees and their families as well as on the social fabric, the international community’s increasing acceptance of the relevance of the Geneva Accord to the Palestinian context and the need to avoid applying torture that were used by the occupiers against Palestinians by Palestinians. In addition, there were live testimonies of Ex-

Annual Report

detainees who recalled their own experiences in prison, sufferings, in addition to the sense of despair that they experienced as a result of being away from their families. The conference also focused on the Golan Heights issue and participants from the Golan Heights were present and delivered a speech as well. The conference was a venue to focus on the issue of the Palestinian prisoners and to show solidarity among the Palestinians’ and with other Arab sufferings. At the same time, TRC organized workshops in the cities of Jenin and Hebron where ex-detainees and their families were joined by members of the Legislative Council and civil society organizations as well as academics and members of the public to commemorate this important national day. Former detainees spoke about their experiences in detention centers and the services that they have received through TRC. They noted that the medical treatment, along with the psychological and social therapy provided to them by TRC, has been invaluable as this has helped them to reintegrate into their families and communities and, thereby, regain their life. The Hebron workshop included an exhibition of handicrafts made by ex-detainees and a display of posters reflecting the torture experienced by the prisoners. On April 18th, TRC’s Nablus branch, in cooperation with other institutions working in this sector such as the YMCA and DCI, organized a number of events, including poetry and art shows by children, were those in attendance discussed issues pertaining to detainees and their needs and made a number of important recommendations. b) June 26th, UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: Through commemorating this day, TRC strives to raise awareness on victims of torture in Palestine; advocate for their rights and lobby for national and international efforts.

TRC marked this international day through organizing a two day international conference on the 24th and 25th of June. The first day was dedicated to a capacity building training on the UN mechanisms of protecting human rights of victims of torture and how to document and report on torture cases. The target group for this training consisted of human rights defenders; representatives of other Palestinian non-governmental organizations and victims of torture. The second day was conference of several panels in which the discussion rotated around adopting new strategies and instruments to combat torture and organized violence in the Palestinian territory. Dr. Mahmud Sehwail –TRC’s General Director of TRC- Mrs. Fabienne Bessonne –Head of section for Social Affairs at the European Representation Office- Ms. Eva Tomak – Director of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Mr. Ahmad Adbe - Ministry of Interior, as well as Mr. Issa Qaraqe –Minister of Detainees and Ex-detainees Affairs- were all keynote speakers of the second day.

It is worth mentioning that the conference was attended by various International and local human rights organizations, activists, governmental institutions and the public. The number of attendees exceeded 200 people which signify the magnitude of the issue among Palestinians. Participants reinforced the idea of working together against torture and/or ill-treatment and restoring the rights of the victims. Moreover, guest participants insisted on society’s role in breaking their silence and fighting against torture. TRC Board Members usually attend and actively participate in such anniversaries and events. 5) Success Indicators: In 2009, there was a noticeable increase in the number of Public awareness meetings “from 345 workshops in 2008 to 590 in 2009”. Indeed, this increase is partially due to the existence of a well-developed action plan in the Advocacy department and an experienced staff adapted well to bear the responsibility of carrying out this plan. Securing comfortable work conditions like transportation, comfortable office, good salary, modern technical support and clear internal regulations for each employee significantly contributed to increasing the motivation of the employees, which finally reflected in this noticeable increase in workshops. However, Part of this success in increasing the number of workshops is due to the good fame TRC has gained in the community and among the local institutions, especially in rural areas, in recent years. Actually, the year 2009 witnessed an increase by 30% in the number of local institutes that desire to cooperate or coordinate with TRC towards the end of serving a particular social segment , and about 35% of 2009 public awareness workshops were organized upon request and in coordination with local CBOs, civil society organizations , youth clubs , prisoner clubs or municipalities. This indicates the size of the impact that previous efforts of

our advocacy department had on the community. The impact of TRC’s advocacy and raising awareness efforts is not only manifested in the increase in the workshops, but it is apparent in other aspects also. For instance, the year 2009 witnessed the formation of permanent and efficient supportive groups for the center. And although the existence of supportive groups used to be a permanent feature of the center in previous years, supportive groups of the year 2009 are distinguished from those in previous years by permanency, commitment and effectiveness. One of the most committed and devoted supportive was formed from 3 ex-detainees “one woman from Nablus and two men from Jenin” at the mid of 2009. The high commitment of this group appeared in its participation in many activities of TRC. They coordinated for workshops and commemoration days; referred ex-detainees to the center; distributed brochures and leaflets and presented local CBOs to TRC. It’s worth mentioning that TRC’s advocacy and public awareness program has also had its impact on the community from other perspectives. It was mentioned earlier in this report that the vast majority of TRC’s 2009 active cases on the treatment and rehabilitation program were referred to the center via the outreach activities, including the Advocacy and Public awareness activities. It’s important to clarify that approximately 40% of those referrals were referred to the center through the advocacy and public awareness activities. In other words, it’s completely true that this program has essentially contributed to the dilution of the stigma related to mental health in the Palestinian community. TRC is now a recognized organization all local universities to provide internship and training for gradates and students. Moreover, the participation requests to TRC are increasing to a level that a representative of TRC participates almost in most events happening in the field.

Annual Report

E) Networking The cooperation and information exchange among all stakeholders is crucial to achieve the aim and mission of TRC. Special focus, attention and effort is given to ensure that coordination is well established on all level. TRC has maintained continuous attendance and cooperation with all organizations through attending workshops, training, and coordination meeting with other institutions. Coalitions and partnerships As an initiative from TRC, supported by a number of Palestinian non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights, an initiative was launched that mainly aspires to fortify the civil society role in addressing, uncovering, and contributing to the reduction of this torture phenomenon in a manner that assures that the human rights of the Palestinians, who are tortured in a way that contradicts the international humanitarian law and the International Conventions against Torture, are indivisible. The coalition was officially announced at a press conference in the Ministry of Information on the 10th of June 2009 .The newly formed coalition consisted of seven civil society organizations that have always been involved in defending the human rights and dignity of the Palestinian people and joined their efforts collectively to fight torture and impunity. These organizations are: Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture, Addameer Association for Human Rights, Al-Haq, the Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights, Mandela Institute, Jerusalem Legal Aid And Human Rights Center and Gaza Community Mental Health Program.

The mission of the newly-formed coalition was declared as to develop new mechanisms to detect, expose and document any use of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (torture policy) against Palestinian detainees in the Israeli Jails and the Palestinian detention centers. TRC operates as the hub and secretariat for the coalition through dedicating personnel for coordination the activities and hosting all meetings. The coalition was then made official through the signature of the memorandum of understanding that formed and created the coalition. TRC continues cooperating with various Human Rights organizations such PICATI and Physicians for Human Rights Israel. In addition to information sharing and exchange, the referral between the organizations is maintained as a form of cooperation. Moreover, TRC also provides services such issues medico-reports for cases referred to TRC for this purpose for further use in legal redress. Cooperation with international organizations is also maintained. Several coordination meeting were held as part of the MENA network. A project was also developed to foster the MENA network under the auspices and administration of the IRCT. The project will be funded by the European Union and starts early 2010. Locally, TRC strengthened ties with various organizations and participated actively with PNGONET as a hub for various organizations. In 2009, TRC attended 66 workshops organized by wide range of national institutes and civil society organizations. Most of these workshops were concerned with issues related to human rights, mental health, crisis intervention, trauma, torture , violence and issues of marginalized social segments like women, children and youth. , In addition, there was a significant number of these workshops that was organized in order to discuss

mechanisms of psychosocial support for the different social segments. TRC cooperates with all organizations of various levels to support all efforts to enhance the Human Rights violations. It is worth mentioning that TRC fosters networking with various local organizations and NGOs such as the YMCA, DCI, Addameer and Prisoners' Club through cooperating and forming partnerships to organize various events in different areas. Such cooperation strengthens main streaming and unifying efforts towards enhancing the human rights status and fosters cooperation among NGOs.

F) Institutional development An integral part to the development of the program is the institutional development as a component of TRC portfolio. This section illustrates development achieved on the institutional level whether related to training, infrastructure, fundraising and restructuring. Restructuring process The restructuring process of the organization, which was successfully completed and finalized in November 2009, by itself, is expected to be a generator of other successes on TRC's work level. Indeed, it has drawn the desired future image of TRC; an image in which TRC is pioneering the process of the social transformation towards a society free of torture and violence and based on human rights values. The process, which was basically intended to guarantee the highest efficiency of the work of TRC’s departments and to promote its humanitarian mission, was carried out by an expertise company working in this field for long time, which is “The Institutional Development and Reform Associates (IDaRA)” Company. The process was accompanied by a number of changes and actualizations on the financial and administrative levels, departments’

structures and the salary scale; moreover, it led to the creation of new departments and bringing in new employees. Although the success of the process can not be verified few months after, success indicators of the process have begun surfacing. For instance, the integration and the coordination among departments are witnessing smoothness and easiness. A closed questionnaire made by the leading company and filled by the employees showed that the employees are extremely satisfied by the new job description and the new salary scale, which will reflect on their performance in the future.

Annual Report TRC in Media T‫ ‏‬his news is part of TRC›s Activity through the year 2009, for example it talks about launching A Palestinian Coalition Against torture, signing a memorandum of understanding with the ministry of interior for training their staff, holding a public conference for the commemoration of the 26th of June, launching summer camps for the children of victims of torture, training sessions related to narrative therapy, in addition to other kinds of therapeutic models.

Annual Report

Annual Report Budget Analysis

Comparison Actual Expense Actual Exp. 2009 (USD)

Actual Exp. 2008 (USD)

762,659

691,526

Treatment & Rehab.

76,937

38,113

Advocacy & Public Awareness

91,073

35,753

Research and Capacity Building

33,900

106,180

Human Resources Capacity Building

15,194

4,922

Institutional Development

70,159

43,823

Item Personnel Costs

Infrastructure Administrative Costs International Experts Expenses Hurriyyat-TRC Partnership expenses (EU project) Total

56,113

356,822

340,799

15,853

85,332

107,693

1,564,042

1,368,809

TRC Actual Funds 2009 600,000 512,777

500,000 400,000 350,653 300,000

300,000

249,018

200,000 100,000 44,990

0 SDC

EC LOT I

EC LOT II

UNVFT

12,270

AECID

ASECOP

TRC Actual Funds 2009

rri

pr oj

Exp

ses

-1

23%

bha at Tre

a nt me

6% sAwarenes and Public Advocacy

er -P

os lC

-5

Building - 1% ity Building - 2%

Costs

Capacity

rts

sources

Research and Capac

ive istrat

in Adm

Human Re

l Ex

nt - 4 %

atio

pme

ex p

velo

Int ern

al de

tur e-

ruc

ution

Pa r

ras t

Inf

yy at -T R

Instit

NRO

47,272

23,637

CVT

23,426 CNA

Annual Report Audit Report

Annual Report