Physicians for Human Rights
Using science and medicine to stop human rights violationsTorture
Freedom from cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment is a fundamental human right established in international law. Since its founding in 1986, PHR's core mission has included investigating and reporting on the devastating consequences of torture on individuals, institutions, and society.
Health professionals can detect signs of physical and mental abuse that are not evident to traditional investigators. Where the torturer aims to silence the victim, PHR's work validates the survivor's voice. Where the torturer hides evidence of brutality, PHR provides physical proof of the violation. And, where the torturer uses the physician as an accomplice, PHR exposes the ethical travesty.
Based on our work, PHR developed the first set of international guidelines for investigating and assessing allegations of torture and ill-treatment.
US Torture
In response to US personnel's systematic infliction of psychological and physical torture against detainees, PHR seeks to restore the US commitment against torture, to ensure humane treatment of detainees, and to protect US health personnel from complicity in mistreatment and harm. PHR is also working on legislation in MA and NY to sanction health care providers who participate in acts of torture and ill treatment.
Global Torture
In 1999, PHR was a lead author on the first set of international guidelines for the documentation of torture and its consequences. The Istanbul Protocol provides a set of guidelines for the assessment of persons who allege they have suffered torture and ill treatment, for investigating cases of alleged torture, and for reporting such findings to judiciary and other investigative bodies.
Asylum
Every year, more than 40,000 people flee torture and unbearable persecution in their home country and seek safety in the US. PHR provides asylum seekers with medical and psychological evaluations to highlight the scars left by torture, beatings, sexual violence, slavery, and worse. PHR also protects survivors of torture and persecution by elevating the quality of health care in immigration detention centers, reducing the use of immigration detention, and eliminating arbitrary and unjustified barriers to asylum in the US.
TD Blog Interview with Kristine Huskey (January 24, 2012)
Kristine Huskey, Director of PHR's Anti-Torture Program is interviewed by The Talking Dog.
Bahrain court overturns two death sentences (January 9, 2012)
The court of cassation in Bahrain has overturned a ruling by the court of appeals that had sentenced two Bahraini anti-government protesters to execution. Monday's decision will require the court of appeals to re-examine the case and issue a new verdict for the two protesters earlier sentenced to death, and five others who had been sentenced to life in prison.
Activist refused entry into Bahrain (January 9, 2012)
Bahrain's government refused to allow an American human rights activist into the country, officials say. On Sunday, officials at the airport turned away Richard Sollom, deputy president of Physicians for Human Rights, who was hoping to observe the trial of 20 medical workers being charged with felonies for providing care for protesters.
Syria, Bahrain and Middle East unrest - Monday 9 January (January 9, 2012)
An American activist who was refused entry to Bahrain on Sunday said he feared the 20 medics being re-tried for allegedly trying to overthrow the regime would be "scape-goated" by the authorities. Richard Sollom, who had flown in to the country with the intention of observing the medics' retrial today, told the Guardian he hoped international pressure would eventually force the King to quash the charges.
Conference Highlights Importance of Forensic Evidence to Asylum Seekers (February 21, 2012)
Approximately 200 people from around the world gathered in Washington, DC on February 15-16 to participate in the “Forensic Evidence in the Fight Against Torture” conference. Participants, including PHR staff, shared experiences, challenges, emerging developments, and best practices from around the world.
Words From the Prisoners (February 7, 2012)
Interviews with former Burmese political prisoners revealed that conditions in the prisons are both physically and psychologically degrading.
Human Rights Groups Release Torture Accountability Report (February 1, 2012)
Last week, Human Rights USA (HRUSA) and the International Human Rights Clinic at Washington College of Law, American University released their much-awaited report, “Indefensible: A Reference for Prosecuting Torture and Other Felonies.”
Free Conference: Forensic Evidence in the Fight Against Torture (February 1, 2012)
On February 15-16 stakeholders from around the world will gather in DC to participate in the “Forensic Evidence in the Fight Against Torture” conference, co-sponsored by the International Council for Torture Victims and American University Washington College of Law.
PHR Condemns President Obama’s Signing of National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 (NDAA) (January 2012)
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) condemned today President Barack Obama’s signing of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 (NDAA). On the eve of 2012, President Obama signed the NDAA into law, making military indefinite detention in America permanent. Although the President’s signing statement expressed “serious reservations” about the provisions, the statement applies only to the current administration and does not impact how future administrations interpret the law.
PHR Calls on President Obama to Veto National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 (NDAA) (December 2011)
PHR today calls on President Barack Obama to veto the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 (NDAA). The House and Senate conference report does not fix fundamental flaws found in the provisions regarding treatment of terrorism suspects.
From Persecution to Prison (June 2003)
The practice of imprisoning asylum seekers who flee to America to escape torture, abuse, and persecution in their own countries has damaging effects on the well-being of these individuals. Detention can induce fear, isolation, and hopelessness, and exacerbate the severe psychological distress frequently exhibited by asylum seekers who are already traumatized.
NY Anti-Torture Legislation Memorandum of Support (September 2011)
PHR strongly supports New York bill A.6665 (Gottfried) and S.4495 (Duane), “An Act to amend the public health law, the education law and the labor law, in relation to prohibiting participation in torture and improper treatment of prisoners by health care professionals,” which will bar all health care professionals from participating in the torture or improper treatment and interrogation of prisoners, requires health care providers to report torture or improper treatment of prisoners to responsible authorities, and provides whistleblower protections for health care professionals who refuse to undertake prohibited acts and those who participate in investigations of lawbreaking.
Featured Campaign
US doctors 'hid signs of torture' at Guantánamo
US government doctors who cared for the prisoners at Guantánamo Bay deliberately concealed or ignored evidence that their patients were being tortured, the first official study of its kind has found. Read More »
Featured Expert
Steven Reisner, PhD
Dr. Reisner has worked tirelessly to amend policies of the American Psychological Association that support psychologists’ participation in unethical military and intelligence interrogations in places such as Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo Bay, and the CIA ‘black sites’. Read More »
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