UN Declares International Day of Truth “Archbishop Oscar Romero”

March 24, 2011

“As we inaugurate this new international observance, let us recognize the indispensable role of the truth in upholding human rights – and let us pledge to defend the right to the truth as we pursue our global mission of human rights.” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 24 March 2011 On 21 December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. The purpose of the Day is to: •   Honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice; •   Pay tribute...
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Victims’ Perspective Must Be Central: New UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

March 16, 2011

March 11, 2011   The new UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Professor Juan Mendez, has stated that the perspective of victims of torture must be at the centre of all efforts to implement the UN Convention against Torture (CAT). Mendez was speaking at an event on Tuesday organised by the IRCT and partners at the United Nations in Geneva which also featured Professor Manfred Nowak, the previous post-holder as a speaker and was moderated by IRCT Secretary-General Brita Sydhof. Mendez explained that his belief in the victim-centred approach was based both on his own experience as a torture survivor and his many years as an...
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TASSC International Hosts U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture

February 3, 2011
TASSC International Hosts U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture

It was TASSC International’s honor to host the newly elected United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Dr. Juan Mendez was welcomed with a luncheon followed by an opportunity to address survivors from TASSC, as well as human rights advocates and faith-based groups working to end torture. Dr. Mendez shared with survivors and other gathered at TASSC the mandate he has been given by the United Nations: “By insisting on the absolute prohibition of torture and of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in international law, I hope to make an effective contribution to the enforcement and progressive development of international norms in this area.” Dr. Mendez has dedicated...
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TASSC Survivor Home Complete!

January 21, 2011
TASSC Survivor Home Complete!

Thanks to everyone for all the hard work that has gone into completing our brand new Survivor Home! On December 9, 2010, TASSC International celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony at our new home for survivors of torture. Together with our generous donors and supporters, we want to thank each one of you for standing with survivors and their families throughout the year. A special thanks to Shelters Plus and the Homebuilders Care Foundation. Without these two incredible organizations, this dream would never be a reality. And thanks to our many generous friends and supporters, who have continued to support us year after year. We are proud to present our new home.  Because of you, we can now...
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Witness against Torture Fast to Close Guantanamo

January 19, 2011
Witness against Torture Fast to Close Guantanamo

            Dear Friends, Greetings from Washington, DC and Day Seven of the Fast for Justice. We are 40 or so in Washington, DC and over 100 throughout the country. In this brief note, we hope to share with you some sense of what our days have been like as we pass the halfway mark of the Fast for Justice. We have been getting to know Washington “under the hood”  – so to speak- as we process in black hoods and orange jumpsuits. It is a strange and revelatory perspective on our Nation’s Capitol. The landscape in DC is studded with monuments to war heroes, epic battles, and larger than...
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TASSC Celebrates UN Human Rights Day with Survivors of Torture

January 8, 2011
TASSC Celebrates UN Human Rights Day with Survivors of Torture

On December 10, TASSC International celebrated the United Nations Human Rights Day with recognition awards for friends of survivors of torture. Sr. Alice Zachmann (SSND), Dr. Harold Nelson, Mary Harding and Helen Schietinger received the Compassion and Education Award for significant contributions to the struggle against torture and healing of torture survivors. Theresa Harris, Executive Director of Human Rights USA, gave the keynote address. In her address Ms. Harris reported on the United Nations Human Rights Council review of human rights in several countries, including the United States. She also announced that human rights defenders and legal scholars will soon publish a document on the United States and its responsibility to hold accountable those who are guilty of torture.
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Bush Cancels European Trip under Pressure of Torture Allegations

January 7, 2011

On the eve of the filing of complaints with the Swiss authorities by the IRCT and a coalition of other NGOs, former US President George W Bush has cancelled his planned trip there. While it is regrettable that there is now no chance Bush will face trial in Switzerland, however, the cancellation of his trip is at least a particle victory and helps bring attention to the global movement to bring Bush to justice.   There must be no impunity for torturers anywhere, including Bush’s home country, and therefore the IRCT repeats it call on President Obama to pursue legal action against the former President.   Once again we refute Mr Bush’s recent claim...
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New UN Convention against Enforced Disappearances

December 22, 2010

TASSC International congratulates TASSC member Aileen Bacalso, Executive Director of AFAD, for the great victory of a new UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, fruit of the work of families of the disappeared the world over who have been working on behalf of their disappeared loved ones for more than 35 years. We also remember, in a special way, Patrick Rice - survivor of torture and involuntary disappearance in Argentina – whose entire life was devoted to organizing family members and survivors to strengthen international protections against torture and enforced disappearance. Patrick led TASSC International’s first Human Rights Training in June 2010 before his tragic and untimely death a month later.
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