Press Release (19.06.2014)

26 of June is an International Day in support of Victims of Torture, proclaimed by the UN. In the same day in 1987 UN Anti-Torture Convention entered into force. This day is celebrated in more than 70 countries. The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT, Denmark, Copenhagen) coordinates the planned events in this day.

The Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims “Empathy” has been celebrating the International Day in support of Victims of Torture with various events since 2002 In Georgia.

During June 22-26, 2014, with partnership of several international and national organizations, in Tbilisi, Georgia will be held Trans-Regional (Caucasus and Central Asia) Training-Seminars in the Istanbul Protocol and in aiding the identification of policing and security equipment commonly used in torture and ill- treatment. The mentioned above events will be followed with the Trans-Regional Conference “Torture, Istanbul Protocol and Fight Impunity”.

Organizers of these events are: The Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture “Empathy” (Georgia), The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT, Denmark, Copenhagen), Physicians for Human Rights (PHR, USA), Centre for Victims of Torture (CVT, USA), Omega Research Foundation (UK), Penal Reform International (PRI).

In the Trans-Regional events will be participated Forensic Experts, Legal Professionals, NPM Members, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists from 6 countries; More than 60 participants from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russian Federation – Chechnya, Tajikistan, Kirgizstan and Georgia will be trained.

On June 26, 11.00-14.00 in the Ballroom of the “Courtyard Marriott Hotel” (4 Freedom Square, Tbilisi) the final part of Trans –regional events – the Conference “Torture, Istanbul Protocol and Fight Impunity”will be held.

In the Conference will participate International Organizations, as well as Local and regional Governmental Organizations, NGOs, and representatives of Mass-Media.

These actions and projects are sponsored by financial support of following organizations: European Union, UNVFVT, CVT (USAID, Washington), and PHR (Open Society Foundations (OSF)).

Please, join us!

Contact Information:
Centre “Empathy”
Mariam Jishkariani 599 51 63 00
Ekaterine Keburia  591 019718
23 Kandelaki str., Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
E – mail: eka@empathy.ge, centre@empathy.ge, mjishkariani@yahoo.com
Phone: +(995 32) 2381015; Fax: +(995 32) 238 10 33; URL: www.empathy.ge  f Rct.Empathy

Anti Torture Actions Calendar:

      June 22, 2014, Sunday, 9.30 – 17.30, Hotel “Courtyard Marriott” (4 Freedom square, Tbilisi) – Will be held One-day Trans Regional (Caucasus and Central Asia) Training-Seminar: “Aiding the identification of policing and security equipment commonly used in torture and ill- treatment”, (Omega Research Foundation, UK, IRCT (Denmark Copenhagen, RCT/EMPATHY, Georgia).

      June 23-25, 2014, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9.30 – 18.00, Will be held Trans Regional (Caucasus and Central Asia) Training-Seminar: “The Istanbul Protocol – Instrument for Fight Impunity” (IRCT, PRI, Omega Research Foundation, CVT (USA), PHR (USA), RCT/Empathy, Georgia).

      June 26, 2014, Thursday, 10.30. – 14.00 – The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – will be held Trans Regional Conference: “ Torture, Istanbul Protocol and Fight Impunity” (IRCT, PRI, Omega Research Foundation, CVT (USA), PHR (USA), RCT/Empathy, Georgia), Azerbaijan Medical Association, Niiso – Grozny, FAVL Armenia, as well as representatives from various organizations from Tajikistan and Kirgizstan.

These actions are financed by: European Union, as well as co-financing of project provides PHR – Open Society Foundations (OSF), CVT (USAID, Washington) and UNVFVT.