The Poverty Barrier report launched in parliament

Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow and UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Professor Juan Méndez helped launch Freedom from Torture's report, The Poverty Barrier: The Right to Rehabilitation for Survivors of Torture in the UK at a policy dialogue hosted by Sarah Teather MP and Julian Huppert MP at the House of Commons on 17 July.

Joining them on the panel were Baroness Ruth Lister emeritus professor of social policy at Loughborough University and Kolbassia Haoussou, coordinator of the Survivors Speak OUT network (SSO). Representatives from government bodies attended the event along with MPs, leaders from civil society organisations and SSO members.

Jon Snow opened proceedings by introducing Freedom from Torture's "excellent report", which examines how alarming levels of poverty experienced by torture survivors, both during and after their passage through the asylum system, inhibit their rehabilitation from torture.

Kolbassia Haoussou and other members of SSO worked alongside the researcher, ensuring that survivors of torture provided expertise and guidance on the research as well as in the provision of evidence:

"The common assumption amongst people is we are poor and that's why we leave our country. The reality is we are community leaders, civil servants, business people. We lived above the poverty threshold.

For the network it's not who's to blame – it's about working together to bring change. I hope now, with the recommendations which we helped to shape, the policy makers can use them to create change in the asylum system."

The recommendations address a range of concerns, including the level of asylum support which falls well below that of mainstream provision; the importance of an 'end to end' cash-based support system; and the need for effective administration to prevent the destitution experienced by torture survivors, particularly in the transition to mainstream systems on grant of Refugee Status.

It was clear from the discussion at the event, which focused on both practical concerns and ways to ensure torture survivors are treated with respect and humanity within the asylum system, that many of the policy solutions identified would be cost-neutral in their application. Jon Snow concluded:

"I want you to turn to page 83 of the report, which recommends the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the home secretary and immigration minister to more regularly use policy speeches and other public opportunities to explain the UK's commitment to protecting those fleeing persecution including torture – this is part of who we are. I want to thank Freedom from Torture – it's been a really useful exercise."