World torture day NGOs urged to develop synergies for rehabilitation
PESHAWAR: In the frame work of the project “Capacity Building and Social Rehabilitation of victim of Torture” in NWFP, and to observe the world torture day, a seminar was held for creating awareness among the masses at the local hotel.
The audience included people from local NGOs, working in the same field and local state agencies, who are involved directly or indirectly with victim of torture, mainly psychologists, lawyers, medical doctors and social workers. The project is implemented by Just Peace International (JPI) and European Perspective (EP), a Greek NGO with the financial support from European Union (EU). Addressing the seminar Mr. Vasilios Balaskas, Project Coordinator introduced his organization and its ongoing projects in Pakistan, including the above mentioned. Balaskas urged the audience to play their role in creating awareness for socially rehabilitating victim of torture. He requested the local NGOs and State Agencies to develop synergies for the rehabilitation of the victims of torture so that they can be reintegrated in their respective communities.
Ali Gohar, Project Coordinator, Just Peace International gave a brief introduction of the two partner organizations and the project. He talked about the nature of torture in our communities in general and torture inflicted by the state authorities in particular. Affirming Just Peace International’s objective of fighting social injustices, Mr. Gohar shared the main activities of the project and strategies for its implementation.
The main activities included a one month training of trainers for local NGOs and State Agencies, establishment of two rehabilitation centers at District Peshawar and Batkhela, helpline, free medical treatment, psycho-social counseling and occupational therapy for victim of torture.
Javed Akhtar, Chief Executive Just Peace International reiterated JPI’s stance on ending torture and violence in the communities. He thanked the audience, partner organization and the European Union for providing financial assistance to help the victim of torture rehabilitate and reintegrate in their respective communities. He added that the project would provide income generation advises and total of 1000 families of the victim torture would benefit. “Gratitude unfolds the goodness of life. It turns what we have in to enough, and more. It turns denials in to acceptance, chaos to order, and confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal in to a feast, a house in to a home. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates vision for tomorrow.
Source: The Nation
Date:6/27/2008
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