Mail News Service
Imphal, June 25 : CORE and its Human to Humane Transcultural Centre for Trauma and Torture (H2H), Human Rights Alert (HRA) and the Department of Clinical Psychology of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) concluded today a four-day training workshop for practitioners “Road To Psychosocial Support And Rehabilitation In Conflict Situations”.
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (United Nations Convention against Torture) is an international human rights instrument, under the review of the United Nations, that aims to prevent torture around the world. On 26 June 1987, the United Nations Convention Against Torture came into effect.
India, a signatory of this treaty since 1997 is yet to ratify it in Parliament and incorporate into the national legal framework. Fifteen years after expressing its intention to ratify this treaty, it is a shame that this so-called great democracy has yet to absolutely prohibit this inhuman and barbaric practice of torture by its police and armed forces. On 26 June 1945, the United Nations Charter was signed and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights was adopted soon after on 10 December 1948.
Since then the decision to annually observe the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was taken by the UN General Assembly at the proposal of Denmark, which is home to the world-renowned International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT). “The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – 26 June” is thence held annually on 26 June to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors throughout the world; dozens of organisations in dozens of countries mark the day each year with events, celebrations and campaigns
Rehabilitation is the theme for the 26 June 2012 campaign. Rehabilitation empowers torture victims to resume as full a life as possible. However, rebuilding the life of someone whose dignity has been destroyed takes time and is the result of long-term material, medical, psychological and social support.Rehabilitation works…and is a torture survivor’s right.
“This is the first time I ever danced wholeheartedly and it seems to bring me an inner joy I have never experienced and that has been my mainstay ever since” said Bijeta, a 13 year-old girl victim who underwent Dance Movement Psychotherapy while attended a Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme (TRP) organized by Human to Humane Transcultural Centre for Trauma and Torture (H2H) in 2010 during a recent interaction.
Another case in point is CORE and H2H’s role in the rehabilitation support given to the family of one extra-judicial execution victim, a child, who was allegedly severely tortured before being killed. His mother, Ahanthem Tampha said, “After the fateful incident when I lost my son, I have been going through a hard time.
I get flashbacks of good times I had with my son, and I still do hear his voice calling out my name when I’m alone…I am haunted by my son’s absence and really miss him now. I am preoccupied most of the time by my son’s memories and what happened to him and this has badly affected my daily activities. I started neglecting my other children and do regret about this too. I know I have also been affected mentally by my son’s unnatural death.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/international-day-in-support-of-victims-of-torture/
