Help needed for Libya torture victims

As the era of the Gaddafi regime in Libya appears to draw to an end more and more horrific human rights abuses previously hidden by Gaddafi’s regime are coming to light.
The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) – the global umbrella body for 150 rehabilitation centres in 73 countries - is reminding the international community of its obligation to not only find and bring perpetrators to justice, but to ensure the provision of adequate rehabilitative care for the many victims of torture.
Torture was rife in Gaddafi’s prisons, and, according to observers on the ground, the dying days of his regime were particularly gruesome, with human rights organisations finding evidence of mass graves and other abuses.
Under one of the core international human rights treaties – the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) - states have an obligation not only to prevent torture and hold perpetrators accountable but also to grant victims the right to receive rehabilitation.
While The IRCT has member centres in over 70 countries worldwide helping in the rehabilitation of survivors of this most heinous act, the previous Libyan regime blocked any attempts at the creation of such services.
The IRCT website gives details regarding its appeal: “Those who have suffered the horror of torture need our help, and we’re therefore calling on the emerging regime in Libya not only to show restraint but to provide for specialist rehabilitation services to enable the survivors to overcome, as much as is possible, their ordeals in order to re-integrate into society and help build a prosperous, secure and free Libya. And in this, the international community must play a supporting role” says Brita Sydhoff, IRCT Secretary-General.
“Now is the time for us to join hands with medical and legal colleagues in Libya in order to assess and then work on the rehabilitation needs of people now free of this barbaric regime,” added Sydhoff.

“Our experience of creating centres for the holistic rehabilitation of torture survivors and supporting and strengthening those already in existence in post-conflict zones from Congo to Iraq shows that it is crucial in rebuilding societies. In standing alongside those who have long-suffered you also help break the cycle of violence,” concluded Sydhoff.

Brita Sydhoff spoke of the situation in Libya with Linda Bordoni. She expressed her concern regarding what can become a vicious circle of violence, and reiterated her appeal both to the Libyan interim authorities and to the international community to set up a scheme to stop the violence there and provide support for survivors of torture.

She says it is very important for the credibility of the new Transitional National Council that it show the Libyan people (and the world) that it is better than the Gaddafi regime.

Sydhoff offers her organisation's support and experience in rebuilding the country. "When you rebuild a country - she says - you also have to build an establishment to address the victims of torture.

Sydhoff talks about the plight of the migrant workers trapped in Libya and of other people who are at risk of systematic violence there. And she expressed her hope that the international community will uphold its committment to uphold the democratization of Lybia in more ways than one, or else, she says, the whole Arab Spring may fail.

Rehabilitation she says, works both to give hope for a better (torture-free) future and for breaking a chain of violence. And she is adamant that with the right kind of support, torture victims can - and do - overcome the ordeals of their past.

She says she is hopeful for a postive outcome of the Libyan situation. But this won't happen automatically, and that is why she is reminding the international community that we have to support the good institution building and the good forces that want to stop violence and stop torturing.

"It's very important - Sydhoff concludes - to build credibility by not being as nasty as the regime you are trying to topple".

listen to the interview...