Advocacy and outreach

The Advocacy Department of the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture is a vital part of our mission and goals. We are committed to raising awareness about the issue of torture, promoting human rights culture, and advocating for the rights and needs of survivors.

 Through advocacy efforts, we work to influence policies and legal frameworks, and submit shadow reports aimed at preventing torture, ensuring accountability for perpetrators, and promoting the protection and rehabilitation of survivors. We engage with government agencies, international organizations, civil society groups, international partners, and the public to advocate for stronger legislation, alignment with legislation, ratification of international anti-torture conventions, and effective preventive measures and practices. We also seek to amplify the voices of survivors and empower them to share their experiences and defend their rights.

Through awareness-raising programs and campaigns, we also work to provide accurate and reliable information to the public about torture and its consequences.

 The Advocacy Department works to contribute to the promotion of the rights of torture victims and ensure their access to justice and compensation. Advocacy efforts include working to develop and strengthen legislation related to the protection of torture victims, and working with relevant actors to improve accountability mechanisms and provide a safe space for victims to express their experiences and demands.

 The Advocacy Department is also a driver of awareness-raising and culture change related to torture. We work to raise awareness about the effects of torture and the importance of preventing it, and shed light on human rights and justice values. The department organizes awareness-raising campaigns and public events to raise awareness about the problem of torture and support the community in combating it. We also work to promote values and ethical principles in society to reduce the phenomenon of torture. 

Coalitions and Networking                               

TRC considers networking as an important tool in maximizing the programming and results of any human rights organizations, influencing policy in the direction of respecting and safeguarding human rights, avoiding overlaps/gaps and facilitating information exchange among related organizations. Towards this end, TRC has participated in, and at times lead, 6 coalitions aimed at upholding and defending human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory.  Similarly, TRC is a keep player in the National Coalition for anti-torturer; National Consultation on Treaty Committees Working Group (led by OHCHR, EU, Ministry of interior), Protection cluster working group; and child protection network.

TRC works with several partners and coalitions such as:

-         TRC is leading the Palestinian Coalition against Torture.

-         TRC is a member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) which is the world’s largest membership-based civil society organization specialized in the field of torture.

-        The Palestinian Civil Team in Support of the Transparency of the Public Budget is coalition that advocates for transparency in the allocation and spending of public funds in Palestine.

-        TRC is active member with the PNGO Network.

-         East Jerusalem Coordination Committee for Child Protection established under the supervision of UNICEF in 2018.

-         The Media and Human Rights Civil Coalition for Ensuring the Execution of Court Decisions.