Torture Survivors Week

The Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC) invites you to participate in 2013’s Survivors Week, June 22-26.

Saturday, June 22, 7am-7pm: The week kicks off with a day long vigil at Lafayette Park across from the White House. Join survivors and friends of TASSC to demand an end to torture worldwide. Meet survivors, their families and hear first hand why torture must be brought to an end.

Monday, June 24, 6-10 pm: Help celebrate TASSC’s 16th anniversary with a fun evening at Busboys & Poets in Hyattville, MD.

Tuesday, June 25, 6:30-9 pm: “Healing the culture of torture” Join a discussion and evening with UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez at the Church of the Reformation, 212 E. Capitol Street (located between 2nd and 3rd Streets, behind the U.S. Supreme Court; closest metro stops Capitol South and Union Station).

6:30 p.m. – Opening reception with refreshments and hors d’oeurves

7-9 p.m. – Keynote, panel response, discussion and presentation of the first Patrick Rice Award

Keynote: Juan E. Mendez, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and a torture survivor

Panelists:

  • Aileen Bacalso,Focal point for the International Coalition against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED) and the Secretary General of the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD)
  • Adotei Akwei, Director of Government Relations for Amnesty International, USA
  • Rev. Michael Neuroth, Policy Advocate for International Issues, United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

Sponsors: National Religious Campaign Against Torture, TASSC and Amnesty International USA

Co-sponsors include: Advocates for Survivors of Torture & Trauma, Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for Victims of Torture, Council on American–Islamic Relations, Disciples Justice Action Network, Franciscan Action Network, Human Rights Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Interfaith Action for Human Rights, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Refuge Media Project, T’ruah – The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, Witness Against Torture, World Can’t Wait

Wednesday, June 26, noon: Join us in front of the White House at a public witness against torture as we commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Click here to RSVP and to receive more information.

Learn more about Torture Awareness Month and suggested activities at the National Religious Campaign Against Torture and TASSC.