​April 2017, 45th session of the UNVFVT Board of Trustees

A Victim's Journey:

Redress and Rehabilitation for Torture Victims in Migration

​

"Two-thirds of the nearly 50,000 victims supported by the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture every year are migrants and refugees. This shocking figure highlights the need for specialized responses to protect and promote their human rights."   Gaby Oré Aguilar, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Torture

In the framework of its 45^th session, the UNVFVT Board of Trustees will hold its third annual Expert Workshop on 26-27 April 2017 on the topic of Torture Victims in the Context of Migration: Identification, Redress and Rehabilitation.

The conclusions of the Expert Workshop will be presented in a Public Event on 28 April 2017 from 11am to 1pm in Room VIII, Palais des Nations, Geneva on "A Victim's Journey: Redress and Rehabilitation for Torture Victims in Migration".

Click here to read the full report of the 2017 Expert Workshop.

The theme for this year's Expert Workshop and Public Event arises from the significant numbers of people on the move around the world today, and the high proportion of these migrants who have suffered from torture – in their country of origin, in transit, and/or in their destination country. It is crucial that these torture victims access early identification and intervention, rehabilitation and comprehensive redress, in accordance with international human rights law and standards.

The Public Event will reveal real stories from the ground about the experiences of torture victims in the migration context. In the format of a panel discussion, it will feature the experiences of specialized practitioners (psychologists, social workers, and human rights lawyers) from different contexts and regions, as well as the representative of a survivor-led activist network. These experts will discuss the linkages between torture and migration, and describe their experiences in supporting the effective redress and rehabilitation of torture victims in migration. It will also emphasize the importance of victim participation in the redress and rehabilitation process.

The Public Event is open to all Permanent Missions, civil society actors, media and other relevant stakeholders.

For more information about the Expert Workshop, access the booklet on rehabilitation practitioners here.

For more information about the Public Event, access the Poster here and the Concept Note here.

Please also check back in the future for the following upcoming materials:

• Statement by Ms. Kate Gilmore, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Statements by the panellists:
• Ms. Eva Abu Halaweh, Mizan Law Group for Human Rights, Jordan
• Ms. Ana Elena Barrios, Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Matías de Córdova, Mexico
• Mr. Mark Fish, Room to Heal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Mr. Kolbassia Haoussou, Survivors Speak Out, Freedom from Torture, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Ms. Lucy Kiama, HIAS Kenya, Kenya
• Ms. Hamsa Vijayraghavan, The Ara Trust, India
• Report on the Expert Workshop