CENTRE FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH- IRAQ/CPHI & CENTRE FOR PSYCHO-SOCIAL CARE FOR SURVIVORS OF TORTURE IN BAGHDAD/ CPCST
Statement by the management committee and staff of Baghdad Centre for Survivor’s of Torture (the first of its kind, established in January 2004).
On the 21st June every Year the world community will be united in their recognition of the suffering of torture survivors. Various activities take place across the globe in expression of support to torture victims and their families and to condemn regimes, political groups and individual who practice such barbaric act for political purposes.
Physical, psychological and social consequences of torture are well recognised by research and tens of thousands of cases have been documented by human rights organisation, all of which contribute to the challenge of raising awareness about this criminal practice and increase resolve for a united international effort to expose countries and political groups that subject their citizens for torture as the first step toward complete ban.
Unfortunately Iraq is one of those countries where torture reached "epidemic proportions” during the 35 years rule of the deposed regime. Moreover the prospect of a democratic Iraq that respects and protects its citizens following 2003 occupation was replaced by the reality of terrorism, kidnapping, rape, sectarian violence and illegal detention. The scandalous abuse and torture of Iraqi detainees in Abu Garaib prison was the hallmark of the way Iraqis suspected of illegal activity are dealt with.
The promised rule of law was replaced by codes of the jungle where the weak and the vulnerable become the prey. Moreover, while recognising the right to deal and respond to the clear and present danger posed by terrorist groups who been targeting innocent civilian increasingly, this has to be within the context of rule of law that respects international codes of human right.
Even the long awaited political processes were overshadowed by political and sectarian violence and allegation of torture and abuse of human rights.
21st June will be another great memorial day of world support to victims of torture. Indeed, Iraqi victims will be remembered world wide. Such moral support is vital and important, albeit not enough. Iraqi society requires NGOs and voluntary organisation to support and provide practical help to torture survivors. Such help would include medical, psychological, legal and most of all recognition by current and future Iraqi governments to acknowledge the suffering of the victims by deeds and not words.
The well supported process of reconciliation and tolerance should not forget the actual victims of the past horrors, the citizens who been tortured and lost decades of their lives and often their loved ones too. They have the right for their suffering to be acknowledged, the perpetrators should apologise and receive the punishment according to codes of law. Victims should be compensated for their losses.
Finally all Iraqis who aspire to a free, democratic and prosperous Iraq wish to see the abolition of torture and that a commitment of such will be included in the new Iraqi constitution.
CPHI & CPCST (Iraq- Baghdad)
10th June 2005