Exhibition "Voices of Survival" in Copenhagen, organised by the IRCT in June 2009

Awareness-raising

Engaging societies and individuals against torture

Torture and other forms of ill-treatment are widespread in more than 100 countries and the vast majority of perpetrators go unpunished. Moreover, survivors rarely receive the rehabilitation and reparations they are entitled to. Keeping torture prevention and rehabilitation high on the international political agenda is a priority for the IRCT. To achieve this, we engage all levels of society in our work.

Liaising with key stakeholders

The IRCT liaises with key human rights bodies at the international and regional level - such as the UN, OSCE, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights – to make the plight of torture survivors more visible in their policies.

On the government level, the IRCT promotes that states ratify and abide by those international instruments related to torture, and increase support for rehabilitation services (either directly or via the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture). Where possible, we reinforce our messages by partnering with those who share our goals. Our participation and membership in groups such as the Coalition of International NGOs Against Torture (CINAT), the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) allows us to raise a collective voice in order to enhance visibility and impact.

Because doctors, psychologists and other health professionals play an important role in the prevention of torture, the IRCT also networks with key professional organisations to reinforce their work in the fight against torture.

Campaigns and events

The IRCT also capitalises on internationally recognised campaigns and events to spread the message that torture survivors need our support. For example, each year IRCT members commemorate 26 June – the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture through activities such as conferences, parades, readings, performances and more. Similar events take place annually on 10 December, Human Rights Day. The IRCT uses such occasions to highlight the importance of rehabilitation in rebuilding torture survivors’ lives and to work for the prevention of torture worldwide. We also encourage others to get involved in the struggle against torture by producing campaign materials that anyone can download from the IRCT website.

Media outreach

Our awareness-raisingefforts also extend to reaching out to the broadest audience possible through various media channels. The IRCT participates in interviews, and submits commentaries to radio, television, medical journals, local and international newspapers, magazines and blogs. These are supplemented by specialised publications – such as the peer-reviewed Torture journal and the Preventing torture within the fight against terrorism newsletter, intended to focus on specific areas of our work.