Torture Awareness and Survivors’ Week
June 23-29, 2009
Washington DC, USA
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Rights Action forwards this information from TASSC, (Torture Abolition and Survivor Support Coalition).
Torture was used systematically by the U.S. backed and trained military regimes of Central America, through the 1970s, 80s, 90s. In 2006-2007, torture was systematically used by the Mexican and Oaxacan state governments as they cracked brutally down on the pro-democracy movement in Oaxaca.
Rights Action continues to support grassroots efforts, in these countries, to SHINE A LIGHT ON TORTURE, and seek justice for the torture and other human rights violations of the recent past.
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CONTACT: TASSC, (202)529-2991 / info@tassc.org / www.tassc.org/
For the past 12 years, TASSC (Torture Abolition and Survivor Support Coalition) has played a crucial role in organizing survivors and their friends to publicly oppose torture. The focus of TASSC’s activities this year will again be June Survivors’ Week, which commemorates the UN International Day in Support of Survivors and Victims of Torture, and issues a call to abolish torture once and for all.
With the election of Barack Obama the American people voted for change in the US. At the heart of that decision was the rejection of those policies of the Bush Administration that went against the basic values of American democracy and human dignity. Those policies were enshrined in many segments of the global war on terrorism which the Bush administration practiced as a response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
A recent report from the International Commission of Jurists concludes that the war on terror undermined international human rights and provided a framework for torture:
“Ignoring lessons from the past, States have allowed themselves to be rushed into hasty responses, introducing an array of measures which undermine cherished values as well as the international legal framework carefully developed since the Second World War. These measures have resulted in human rights violations, including torture, enforced disappearances, secret and arbitrary detentions, and unfair trials. There has been little accountability for these abuses or justice for their victims.”
A huge task lies ahead where Congress, the Obama Administration, public opinion and the media will play a determining role. The process of bringing the truth to light and establishing justice will take time and require clear decisions by both President Obama and the Congress, but we believe the opportunity is now and not later.
TASSC is unequivocally opposed to the legalization of torture, and to the suspension of habeas corpus, the establishment of military commissions, secret detention facilities, extraordinary rendition, and prisons like Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and Bagram Air Force Base where torture is practiced.
As a movement of survivors, TASSC’s contribution is to make a clear call for that process to happen, and to support all the efforts at truth investigations, repeal of repressive legislation and practices, initiation of criminal investigation against principal administration officials responsible for policies and actions that legalized and practiced torture, and the implementation of policies that recompense survivors for the grave suffering inflicted on them as a consequence of those practices.
All TASSC survivor-members thank you for your support and for your on-going commitment to rid our world of torture.
Schedule of Activities for TASSC Survivors Week
Thursday, June 25: Solidarity Rally and Day of Action
TASSC continues to work tirelessly to call for a full investigation of what was done in the past administration to justify and practice torture. Truth Speaking to Congress: As part of TASSC’s Advocacy Day, survivors and friends of TASSC will hold a solidarity rally and walk the halls of Congress to visit with Members of Congress.
Thursday Evening: Keynote Speaker: “A World Without War and Torture”
Thursday evening will begin the Conference on Torture with a public event featuring a keynote speaker to critique the framework of the war on terror as undermining international human rights and humanitarian law (the laws of war), and to address the urgent need for the international community to reassert core values and principles of international law.
Friday, June 26: Conference: “Torture Never Again!”
1. Morning Panel: “Torture Never Again!” Survivors from countries where torture is practiced will address various components of the struggle of survivors to organize in movements for human rights and to demand truth, justice and reparations for survivors and their families.
2. Afternoon Panel I: “Torture in Our Backyard.” Human rights organizations will address the need to reassert core values and principles of international law that underlie the call for a full investigation of torture and violations of U.S. and international law that have occurred since 9/11.
3. Afternoon Panel II: “Truth, Justice and Reconciliation.” Human rights activists from countries with a history of internal conflict and torture will share the experience of Truth and Justice Commissions and lessons we can learn from them to confront our own past.
Note: The Conference is open to the public. If you are interested in attending the Conference, please contact: TASSC at (202) 529-2991 or email: info@tassc.org
Saturday, June 27: 24-Hour Vigil
For its 12th consecutive year, TASSC will hold a 24-Hour Vigil in Washington, DC, on Saturday, June 27, across from the White House. The Vigil will be attended by survivors of torture from around the world and supported by our many friends and colleagues. We invite and welcome delegations from participating communities everywhere. Let us know if you are able to travel to DC or send a delegation. If not, please try to organize a vigil in your home community and let us know about it. Let this be the strongest TASSC vigil yet. We will all take great strength from knowing that our efforts are ongoing in all parts of the world and that untold numbers are joining with us. (Schedule will be posted on TASSC’s website: www.tassc.org)
Sunday, June 28: Light One Candle for a World Free from Torture
TASSC will invite interfaith communities to light a candle as a symbol of the light of truth and justice in a torture-free world. Candles will be lit at the end of the 24-Hour vigil on Sunday as a sign of hope for a torture-free world and for truth, justice and reconciliation in our world.
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CONTACT: TASSC, (202)529-2991 / info@tassc.org / www.tassc.org /