International Aid Network commemorated the 26th of June, UN International Day in Support to Victims of Torture this year in a specific way, combining artistic performance named With Hamlet and a round table Let`s Stop Dehumanisation and We'll Stop Torture - for a World Without Torture .
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| Visitors awaiting the start of the event |
Mr Hoze Antonio Gomes, EU Delegation |
The event was organized in cooperation with the Center for Cultural Decontamination (CZKD) from Belgrade . The visitors were greeted by Ms Natasa Cvetkovic Jovic, Programme Director from IAN and then they were able to hear Mr Milos Jankovic, Ombudsperson Deputy for the Rights of People Deprived of Liberty who presented serious challenges in Serbia regarding the presence of torture, especially in prisons and mental health institutions hospitals. Ms Judita Reinchenberg , UN representative and Mr Hoze Antonio Gomes, Head of Operations II from the Delegation of the European Union who presented UN and EU efforts related to prevention of torture and rehabilitation of victims. Ms Borka Pavicevic from CZKD and Ms Jelena Loncarevic from IAN emphasized the role of civil society organisations in fight against torture.
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The event took place in the premises of the CZKD in Belgrade
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After the introductory speeches, the artistic workshop was performed by the persons who are users of psychiatric services, a group often exposure to inhuman and degrading treatment by the society and specific services. Creation of the performance was facilitated by the Serbian-French artistic group Arti-zanati lead by the actor Richard Grolleau. Through artistic expressions related to the topics of Shakespeare's Hamlet, six people presented their experiences of living with mental health problems as well as the attitude of institutions and the society towards them.
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A detail from the artistic performance |
Round table discussion |
After the workshop a round table was held related to prevention of inhuman and degrading acts and rehabilitation of torture victims. Some of the performance "actors" also participated at the round table discussion presenting their experiences related to torture and describing how much this kind of creative expression helps them in the rehabilitation process. One of their messages was that the rehabilitation of victims does not only imply medical, psychological, legal and socioeconomic support, but a comprehensive social action, needed to support their resocialisation and to fight against the impunity of perpetrators. Other round table participants were Doc. dr Vladimir Jovic, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, IAN Center for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, dr Milan Davidovic, psychiatrist, Chief of Day Clinic Padinska Skela, Hospital "Dr Laza Lazarevic", Doc. dr Đorde Alempijevic, forensic expert, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade. The round table was moderated by Branimir Stojanovic, psychoanalyst, Center for Cultural Decontamination.
This year`s event was organized as a part of the "Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program for Torture Victims in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina" project and "Torture Prevention and Rehabilitation Programme", both funded by the EU through EIDHR programme as well as the project "Development of Integrated Mental Health and Social Care Services for a Model Region" funded by Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Two Centres for rehabilitation of torture victims in Trebinje and Milici (BiH) the establishment of which IAN has supported within the EU project “Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program for Torture Victims in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ” also commemorated June 26th.
CRTV Trebinje held a press conference where Dražen Vreca, Coordinator of the CRTV Trebinje spoke about the services and future plans of the centre while Rajko Capin, Head of the veterans and the disabled persons of Trebinje talked about the possibility of support to the centre work from the Municipality of Trebinje . After the press conference an exhibition was opened in the gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts presenting the works of students and artistic perception of victims. Jelena Loncarevic, IAN CRTV Director reminded the audience of the key project goals and achievements so far.
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Press conference and artistic exhibition in Trebinje organised in commemoration of June 26, UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
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In CRTV Milici a press conference was held to raise awareness of the public of the issue of torture and its consequences, link between torture and poverty, obligation of the State with regard to prevention of torture , punishment of perpetrators and ensuring rehabilitation for victims, and the concrete service of the centre were presented. The speakers were: Dr Dana Dukic, Director of the Health Centre Milici, Mladen Vidovic, Coordinator of the CRTV Milici, Sandrina Špeh Vujadinovic, IAN CRTV Coordinator, Ivan Kuc, psychologist, Savic Mirko, Legal adviser engaged in the project. Within this year`s campaign CRTV Milici also organized a series of concerts in a local café.
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Press conference and concerts organised by CRTV Milici in commemoration of June 26, UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
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