HOPE in a New World - Supporting Survivors of Torture A Presentation by Ellen Messali, Esq. International Institute of Connecticut & The Law Offices of Ellen M. Messali, LLC

Global Scale of Torture In 2014, Amnesty International Investigated human rights abuses in 160 countries and territories world wide 82% (131 of 160) of countries tortured or otherwise ill-treated people Amnesty international (2014). “Human Rights Facts & Figures.” Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/02/annual-report-201415-facts-and-figures/

Global Scale of Torture Armed groups committed abuses in more than 20% of countries studied (35 countries) War crimes carried out in at least 18 countries 62 countries imprisoned people exercising rights and freedoms 119 Governments restricted freedom of expression Amnesty international (2014). “Human Rights Facts & Figures.” Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/02/annual-report-201415-facts-and-figures/

Frequently Used Torture Techniques -  Beatings - Rape and Sexual torture - Electrical    - Forced postures, stretching, hanging - Waterboarding - Burning - Kidnapping and disappearances - Pharmacological -Threats to family members - Asphyxiation - Dental - Deprivation - Threat and psychological - Witnessing  torture of others - Severe humiliation - Wounding/maiming -Isolation -Mock Executions

What does torture look like? Torture is the intentional infliction of severe mental or physical pain or suffering by or with the consent of the state authorities for a specific purpose. www.udps.be Revolution-news.com In Iran, LGBT individuals face the death penalty In the Congo, UDPS members are sent to detention facilities where they are burned, beaten, and gang raped for opposing the government. In Ethiopia, police attack groups of peaceful student protesters. hrexach.wordpress.com

Lasting Physical & Psychological Effects of Torture Psychological Consequences Shame Sadness and depression Survivor guilt Anger and rage Fear of crowds Difficulty trusting Intrusive thoughts & images Flashbacks Insomnia (Sleep disorders) Memory, concentration logical thinking problems PTSD Severe anxiety Psychosis (hallucinations and delusions) Physical Effects Burns and scars Damaged Organs Bone Fractures Damage to genitals or impotence Musculoskeletal problems Headaches Deformities Loss of hearing Cognitive problems Changes in blood pressure, hypertension  or cardiovascular diseases

The United States as a Safe Haven The U.S. has a long history of accepting persecuted groups 1951 Refugee Convention The Principle of “non-refoulement” ARTICLE 33 – “No Contracting State shall expel or return (‘refouler’) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.” Today, the U.S. government estimates there are more than 500,000 survivors of torture living in the U.S. We know this number to be very low due to underreporting and lack of updated information.

Asylum Seekers & Refugees: What is the Difference?

Refugees - Globally In mid-2014, there were approximately 14.4 million Refugees of Concern to UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) Half in Asia 28% in Africa Live in widely varying conditions, from well-established camps and collective centers to makeshift shelters or living in the open Of the 14.4 million refugees of concern to UNHCR around the world, less than one per cent is submitted for resettlement. http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c1d.html

Refugees - in the U.S. & in Rhode Island The U. S. is the world's top resettlement country. Australia, Canada and the Nordic countries also resettle refugees. As of 2015, Italy and South Korea have started resettling refugees, increasing the number of resettlement countries to 28. In Fiscal Year 2013, the United States resettled 69,926 Refugees. Nearly half came from the Near East/South Asia Rhode Island In 2012, Rhode Island resettled 130 Refugees (Less than 1% of the refugees that arrived in the U.S.) Main resettlement agency is the International Institute of Rhode Island The largest refugee populations in Rhode Island are from Bhutan (Asia), Burma (Myanmar, Asia), Iran (Middle East, Asia), and Eritrea (East Africa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtCYLgUwL28

Asylum Seekers How do they come to the United States? Enter the U.S. with some type of visa Enter the U.S. via one of the land borders, usually without proper documentation Two Ways of Applying for Asylum Affirmatively with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Defensively with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (Immigration Court)

Asylum Seekers Crucial Parts of the Asylum Process Preparing Applicant’s Declaration should explain the applicant’s entire story, his feelings about why the persecution occurred, and his extreme fear of returning to his country. The goal is to create a very vivid picture of what happened to the applicant. Working with a talented Interpreter is very important! Collecting Supporting Statements from Family/Friends Conducting Medical/Psychological Evaluations Preparing for Interview/Hearing Post-Interview/Hearing Work – Reuniting Families, Applying for Benefits, Appeals, etc.

Interpreting & Translating for Torture Survivors Interpreting = Spoken Communication Translating = Written Communication Very important for the interpreter to Understand that his/her only role is to facilitate the conversation taking place between the provider and the client. No side conversations between the interpreter & the client during the session/meeting either in person or over the phone Both the provider and the interpreter should use the first person Wrong: “Ask the client if she will be safe if she returns to her partner” Correct: “Will you be safe if you go home? Interpreting for traumatized individuals can be very different from interpreting for other populations…

The story of Pinfante Djindjele https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM_495qrMI4

How You Can Get Involved Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island http://www.diiri.org/HowYouCanHelp/Volunt eer/tabid/221/Default.aspx