VIII International Symposium on Torture as a Challenge tothe Health, Legal and other Professions
The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), Copenhagen, in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association and the Indian Law Institute are organising the VIII International Symposium on "Torture as a Challenge to the Health, Legal and other Professions", from 22-25 September 1999, in New Delhi. Mr.Justice V.S. Malimath chairs the Organising Committee and Shri Virendra Dayal, Member, NHRC chairs the Scientific Committee of the symposium.
This symposium, the eighth in a series, the preceding one having been held in South Africa in 1995, is a major international event seeking to focus on human rights issues relating to torture and rehabilitation of torture victims. It must be said to the credit of the medical profession, that right from the beginning of the symposia, they have taken up the issue and rendered yeomen service, the earlier gatherings have been organised mainly by them. The sponsors of the VIII symposium believe that legal and other professions, the media and, more widely, civil society are responsible for dealing with this serious problem and should come forward to do so. Indeed, it is for this purpose that the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Indian Law Institute are associated with the symposium, in addition to the Indian Medical Association. The Symposium thus intends to provide a wide canvas, with the participation of different segments of civil society, including in particular, the health and legal professionals, the media, NGOs, Human Rights activists and National Human Rights Institutions. The aim of the Symposium is to sensitise the State, professionals and the community at large to the problems of torture victims, and to evolve effective measures for their rehabilitation. The media has a great role to play in spreading awareness among the people and sensitising the State and its officers.
The Chief Justice of India has kindly consented to inaugurate the Symposium on 22 September 1999. Ms. Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India, is the patrons. The venue is Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
Each day there will be a Plenary Session on an important torture-related issue, followed by parallel sessions (in groups) to discuss, in a more focussed manner, specific issues that call for attention. The themes and topics presently identified for discussion are: physical and psychological consequences of torture; diagnostic issues; therapies/rehabilitation for torture victims; children/women as torture victims; forensic and medical aspects of torture; issues of medical ethics; torture as an issue on the political agenda; the role of NGOs/media in prevention of torture; redressal and compensation of victims of torture; custodial torture in prison/police stations; and accountability of personnel of law enforcement agencies on torture issues.
Participants from abroad include the doyen of the movement Dr. Inge Genefke, Secretary General, IRCT, Dr. Maria Piniou Kalli, President, ICRT, Dr. Erik Holst, Deputy Secretary General of ICRT, Dr. Bent Sorensen, Dr. Jaap Walkate, Chairperson UN Voluntary Fund, Mr. Brian Burdekin, Special Advisor to the UN High Commission, or for Human Rights, both national and international, the Chairpersons or Members of the National Human Rights Commissions of Mexico, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cameroon and South Africa etc. Participants from India include Justice Krishna Iyer, Shri Soli Sorabjee, Attorney General, Shri Sharada Prasad, Justice Jeewan Reddy, Chairman, Law Commission, Dr. V. Parameshwara, eminent cardiologist, Smt. Vibha Parthasarathy, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Smt. Mohini Giri and the Chairpersons of various State Human Rights Commissions.
This symposium, the eighth in a series, the preceding one having been held in South Africa in 1995, is a major international event seeking to focus on human rights issues relating to torture and rehabilitation of torture victims. It must be said to the credit of the medical profession, that right from the beginning of the symposia, they have taken up the issue and rendered yeomen service, the earlier gatherings have been organised mainly by them. The sponsors of the VIII symposium believe that legal and other professions, the media and, more widely, civil society are responsible for dealing with this serious problem and should come forward to do so. Indeed, it is for this purpose that the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Indian Law Institute are associated with the symposium, in addition to the Indian Medical Association. The Symposium thus intends to provide a wide canvas, with the participation of different segments of civil society, including in particular, the health and legal professionals, the media, NGOs, Human Rights activists and National Human Rights Institutions. The aim of the Symposium is to sensitise the State, professionals and the community at large to the problems of torture victims, and to evolve effective measures for their rehabilitation. The media has a great role to play in spreading awareness among the people and sensitising the State and its officers.
The Chief Justice of India has kindly consented to inaugurate the Symposium on 22 September 1999. Ms. Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India, is the patrons. The venue is Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
Each day there will be a Plenary Session on an important torture-related issue, followed by parallel sessions (in groups) to discuss, in a more focussed manner, specific issues that call for attention. The themes and topics presently identified for discussion are: physical and psychological consequences of torture; diagnostic issues; therapies/rehabilitation for torture victims; children/women as torture victims; forensic and medical aspects of torture; issues of medical ethics; torture as an issue on the political agenda; the role of NGOs/media in prevention of torture; redressal and compensation of victims of torture; custodial torture in prison/police stations; and accountability of personnel of law enforcement agencies on torture issues.
Participants from abroad include the doyen of the movement Dr. Inge Genefke, Secretary General, IRCT, Dr. Maria Piniou Kalli, President, ICRT, Dr. Erik Holst, Deputy Secretary General of ICRT, Dr. Bent Sorensen, Dr. Jaap Walkate, Chairperson UN Voluntary Fund, Mr. Brian Burdekin, Special Advisor to the UN High Commission, or for Human Rights, both national and international, the Chairpersons or Members of the National Human Rights Commissions of Mexico, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cameroon and South Africa etc. Participants from India include Justice Krishna Iyer, Shri Soli Sorabjee, Attorney General, Shri Sharada Prasad, Justice Jeewan Reddy, Chairman, Law Commission, Dr. V. Parameshwara, eminent cardiologist, Smt. Vibha Parthasarathy, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Smt. Mohini Giri and the Chairpersons of various State Human Rights Commissions.