Freedom from Torture takes lead in networking Europe

Freedom frmo Torture is taking a leading role in the creation of a network among similar rehabilitation centres throughout Europe to build on the experience gained working with torture survivors.

Together with the German Association of Psychosocial Centres for Refugees and Torture Victims (BAFF) and in cooperation with the International Society for Health and Human Rights (ISHHR) and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) it is hoped that this new network will bring centres together to exchange ideas and also to have an input on governments and EU decision-making.

"Our primary aim is to share the experience and expertise we as individual organisations have gained over the years,” says Dr Michael Peel, a senior medical examiner at the Medical Foundation and our representative on the steering committee. "This will allow us to collaborate on research and raise capacity in countries that do not yet have services available for torture survivors.”

"The project would also put us in a position where we as health professionals coming from a human rights background, could contribute towards decision-making on a national and European level. This initiative comes at a crucial time but if we make it happen it will definitely be a very exciting new step.”

Dr Peel says there had been a feeling among organisations that there is a lack of dialogue between rehabilitation centres for torture victims in Europe, and that co-operation and dialogue could be improved.

"Such an impression was shared by the European Commission, which encouraged us to try to join forces and develop some strengthened networking relations among centres around Europe.”

This proposal is currently being evaluated by the European Commission. There will be a meeting in Brussels on the 10th and 11th of April 2003 to which all interested centres/partners are invited. But Dr Peel says that even if funding is not forthcoming creating a closer working relationship between centres will still be important.

"Such an informal network could also enable us to prepare ourselves for the challenges which the legal aspects of the relevant European Harmonisation will bring - for us, for our clients and for our work,” he says.