Torture
is considered an offense to human dignity and integrity and has a huge negative
impact on the victims, their families and the society as a whole. In 1991 and
2014 Israel and the Palestinian Authority adopted and ratified the United
Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) respectively. However, both
authorities continue to commit human rights violations, including torture, with
full impunity; Especially that violations
occur when a law, policy or practice deliberately contravenes or ignores
obligations held by the State concerned or when the State fails to achieve a
required standard of conduct or result.
Additional violations occur when a State withdraws or removes existing
human rights protections. All human rights, civil, cultural, economic,
political and social impose three distinct types of obligations on governments:
obligations to respect protect and fulfill. The failure of a government to
perform any of these obligations constitutes a violation of human rights.
The
consequences of torture are tremendous. After discharge, victims of torture
often exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia, and
other debilitating side-effects of the violence and intimidation perpetrated
against them. As a result, they are at high risk of carrying out acts of
domestic violence against their children or spouses. The cycle of violence
could even manifest in other forms that have far reaching and devastating
effects that could lead to damaging the social fabric in the long run.
We
work with victims of torture because we believe that every human being deserves
to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Unfortunately, torture is
still used as a means of extracting information, punishing dissent, or
suppressing opposition in many parts of the world. Survivors of torture often
suffer physical and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime, and they
often face stigma, discrimination, and even further human rights abuses. By
working with victims of torture, we aim to address this humanitarian crisis,
support survivors in their healing and rehabilitation, and hold perpetrators of
torture accountable for their actions. We also believe that by advocating for
the rights of survivors of torture, we are contributing to a more just and
peaceful world where human rights are respected, and everyone can live free
from fear and oppression.
The
Center is at the forefront of advocating for policy reforms and raising
awareness across all sectors of Palestinian society on the rights of persons to
be free from torture, violence and ill-treatment through grassroots campaigns,
national conferences and awareness raising workshops. The Center act as public
oversight also shares its experience across a number of platforms and provides
capacity building to governmental institutions, local and international NGOS,
and universities. TRC regularly provides training in human rights, including
gender-based violence, to Palestinian institution, including to the Palestinian
Security Forces.
