Non State Actors and Local Authorities in Development

Actions in Partner Countries (Multi Country) For Non State Actors (2010-2012)

Torture is defined as the international infliction of mental or physical pain or suffering by or with the consent of the state for a specific purpose. It is still practiced in more than 100 countries. Each year, on going conflicts and authoritarian regimes subject countless girls and boys women and men to torture. Although often use silence human rights defenders and out spoken dissidents, the most common victims of torture are persons belonging to vulnerable groups, e.g. refugees and asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, those living in poverty, street children and ethnic and religious minorities- people who are targeted for the mere fact that they are defenseless and marginalized.

While torture has been a global problem for centuries, following significant terrorist attacks over the last decade, there has been a documented increase in the number of people worldwide who agree with the idea that torture is justified if the purpose is to save lives.

International human rights standards guarantee that all people have "the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. (the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 12). Many victims of torture are impeded from realizing this right because they have no access to qualified care. Most governments fail to fulfill their obligations under international law to provide survivors with due support. Torture survivors are therefore often dependent on civil society organizations for treatment and legal and social support.

The project is based on developing the capacity of IRCT member centers to deliver holistic torture rehabilitation services through south-south and south-north peer supervision and support. Three countries are involved in this project, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Pakistan, under the supervision of SACH in Pakistan.

The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) is an independent, international health professional organization that promotes and supports the rehabilitation of torture victims and works for the prevention of torture worldwide.
Based in Denmark, the IRCT is an umbrella organization for more than 140 rehabilitation centers and programs worldwide that treat and assist torture survivors and their families. The IRCT seeks to strengthen the capacity of these centers and programs through training and technical assistance. By rendering these organizations\' work visible to the international community of health professionals, international organizations, donors and the general public, the IRCT facilitates collaboration in the field and contributes to development towards a world without torture.
On the other hand SACH is registered non Governmental, non profitable entity of dedicated professionals working for the rehabilitation and reintegration of the survivors of organized violence and torture, without any discrimination. The vision of SACH is to see a violence free society, where human beings specially marginalized sections of the society could practice their rights without any fear of being exploited and exposed to violence and torture.
SACH has an intensive rehabilitation program, which provides assistance to the clients by a group of professionals who have acquired special training in the management of violence/torture survivors and families.
The major project of this project is that victims of torture and their families living in marginalized environments, re-assess their rights and become proactive participating citizens in the social, economic and political development of their communities. Moreover, victims of torture and their families living in marginalized environments are able to access holistic and appropriate torture rehabilitation services.