Council of Europe – Commissioner for Human Rights

Support for the work of human rights defenders, their protection and the development of an enabling environment for their activities lie at the core of the Commissioner’s mandate.

States’ duty to protect human rights defenders

Ahead of Human Rights Day, Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, calls on member states to halt the attacks against human rights defenders and improve their safety and working environment. “In spite of an international declaration and clear standards protecting the work of human rights defenders, there remains a huge gap between the principles and reality,” says the Commissioner.

European Court of Human Rights

The Court was established in 1959, headquartered in Strasbourg/France. It rules on individual or State application alleging violations of the civil or political rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (no special focus on torture, which is part of the whole). To mention here is also an interesting fact sheets collection with examples on violations of human rights in European countries.

European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Article 13)

Everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in this Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a national authority notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity.

The European Convention on Human Rights

This convention was drafted in 1950, entry into force in 1953. It established the European Court of Human Rights. This international treaty, ratified by all Council of Europe member states, is to protect human rights and fundamental freedom in Europe. Article #3 No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Sexual Violence and Migration The hidden reality of Sub-Saharan women trapped in Morocco en route to Europe

The exact proportions of sexual violence are impossible to measure, yet MSF’s medical data reveals that it is a problem of alarming proportions. Information provided by our patients reveals the high risk of sexual violence throughout the migration process, with survivors experiencing rape and other forms of sexual violence by numerous different perpetrators in their countries of origin, in route and in Morocco itself.

Resilience and Mental Health Risks among Syrian Refugees in Europe: A Cultural Perspective

Addressing the mental health issues and cultural features of
resilience and recovery among Syrian refugee population is
a key challenge and a great necessity for mental health care
service providers in demographically changing context. Given
that the mental distress is framed in terms of disruption in
social relationships or in the spiritual realm in most of the
Middle Eastern refugees, these individuals usually prefer to seek
support of friends or family or implement religious practices
such as praying, in order to promote their adaptation in the face
of adversity. Culture influences not only one’s understanding
of mental distress and strategies to adapt such distressing
experiences, but also shapes attitudes towards and compliance
to treatment. […] While working with refugee
patients, it has been shown to be crucial to remain open to
multiple explanatory models including biomedical, psychological,
religious and traditional ones to enhance communication with
the refugee patients. This may refer to the fact that while
clinicians provide psychological treatment, the patients may
maintain their beliefs regarding what they believe/practice is also
effective for their treatment.

Resilience and mental health 2469-6676.100137

Mental health and psychosocial support for resettled refugees

This document aims to inform decision-makers and practitioners about the main psychosocial responses of refugees to each phase of the resettlement process. It also presents the role of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the process, and provides practical recommendations and resources for decision-makers and practitioners to help them in providing mental health and psychosocial support to refugees in each of these phases

More Ivorian women smuggled into slavery and sexual abuse

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that the number of women and girls being trafficked from Ivory Coast has been rising. Many of them reportedly suffer abuse, slavery and prostitution — both in North Africa and Europe.By  Sertan Sanderson

Violence, Vulnerability and Migration: Trapped at the Gates of Europe

The exact proportions of sexual violence are impossible to measure, yet MSFs medical data reveals that it is a problem of alarming proportions. Information provided by our patients reveals the high risk of sexual violence throughout the migration process, with survivors experiencing rape and other forms of sexual violence by numerous different perpetrators in their countries of origin, in route and in Morocco itself.

Hidden violence is silent rape: sexual and gender-based violence in refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in Belgium and the Netherlands

Although women, young people and refugees are vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) worldwide, little evidence exists concerning SGBV against refugees in Europe. Using community-based participatory research, 223 in-depth interviews were conducted with refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in Belgium and the Netherlands. Responses were analysed using framework analysis.

What the eye does not see: a critical interpretive synthesis of European Union policies addressing sexual violence in vulnerable migrants

In Europe, refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants are more vulnerable to sexual victimisation than European citizens. They face more challenges when seeking care. This literature review examines how legal and policy frameworks at national, European and international levels condition the prevention of and response to sexual violence affecting these vulnerable migrant communities living in the European Union.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT: Protection Risks for Women and Girls in the European Refugee and Migrant Crisis

For the first time since World War II, Europe is experiencing a massive movement of refugees and migrants, women, girls, men and boys of all ages, fleeing armed conflicts, mass killings, persecution and pervasive sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Many seek refuge in Europe from the ongoing armed conflicts that have torn apart their societies, and are entitled to protection under the (1951) Refugee Convention, its subsequent Protocol, and other international instruments.

Women Refugees at Risk in Europe

For the first time since World War II, Europe is experiencing a massive movement of refugees and migrants, women, girls, men and boys of all ages, fleeing armed conflicts, mass killings, persecution and pervasive sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Many seek refuge in Europe from the ongoing armed conflicts that have torn apart their societies, and are entitled to protection under the (1951) Refugee Convention, its subsequent Protocol, and other international instruments.

New Report: Women Refugees at Risk in Europe

The report finds that women are vulnerable a bottleneck points along the route, and even more vulnerable when they reach reception centres that do not have secure and separate sleeping areas for women. Women also experience sexual violence at alarming rates and there is currently 100% impunity for gender-based crimes committed against refugee women. High numbers of refugee women are pregnant with no access to pre- or post-natal care.

Sexual Violence Against Refugee Women on the Move to and Within Europe

The objective of this overview is to present the issue of sexual violence (SV) against refugee women and girls and to discuss countermeasures that have been suggested or initiated by the Member States of the WHO European Region and national nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) between January (2015) and May 2016. A literature review was undertaken using Google scholar, the WHO publication database and a cross-search of journal databases.

Women migrants fearing rape take contraceptives before journey – rights groups

Women migrants fleeing wars, political instability and poverty are taking contraceptives in the expectation of being raped but are so desperate they still embark on the journey, a human rights group said on Wednesday.

Torture survivors have the right to redress and rehabilitation

The thousands of human beings who have already been through the severe pain of torture also face a range of devastating long-term consequences. In particular, survivors of torture frequently experience chronic pain, headaches, insomnia, nightmares, depression, flashbacks, anxiety, and panic attacks, and can become overwhelmed by feelings of fear, helplessness and even guilt because of what happened to them. Feelings of shame and a loss of dignity on the part of torture victims are often compounded by stigmatisation in the community and social isolation. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects both the victims themselves and their families. If left untreated, the consequences of torture can extend throughout a person’s life-time and even beyond, across generations, having a corrosive effect upon entire societies.

Forced and Involuntary Disappearances

A disappearance has a doubly paralysing impact: on the victims, frequently tortured and in constant fear for their lives, and on their families, ignorant of the fate of their loved ones, their emotions alternating between hope and despair, wondering and waiting, sometimes for years, for news that may never come.

International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP)

ICMP ensures the cooperation of governments and others in addressing the issue of missing persons, including provisions to build institutional capacity, encourage public involvement and address the needs of justice and provides technical assistance to governments in locating, recovering and identifying missing persons.

In some refugee groups, more than one in three men are said to have suffered sexual violence

Sexual violence against men is one of the least told aspects of war. Yet men and boys are victims too of abuse that is frequently more effective at destroying lives and tearing communities apart than guns alone. It can take the form of anal and oral rape, genital torture, castration, gang rape, sexual slavery and the forced rape of others. It is so taboo that few survivors have the courage to tell their story. Besides feeling ashamed and afraid of being ostracised, many victims dare not challenge powerful myths about male rape in their cultures, experts say. A common belief is that a man who is raped becomes a woman.

Beyond statistics sharing, learning and developing good practice in the care of victims of torture

German Association of Psychosocial Centres for Refugees and Victims of Torture. ed. Elise Bittenbinder We want to show that behind the anonymous figures are people many of them survivors of torture trying to start a new life after horrific experiences that have changed their lives and left them with scars that might never heal. Some of them need help and rehabilitation in order to be able to dare to trust in themselves and others again and to find a new sense in life. If we want data, it’s not primarily to measure the level of “threat” which the numbers of refugees pose to our societies, but to help us provide better services for them

The Asylum-seeking Child in Europe

Children constitute an important part of asylum seekers whether they arrive With their families or alone. In 2003, there were more than 17 million refugees (43 per cent of refugees), asylum seekers and others who are of concern to the UNHCR. Of these millions of people, it is estimated that children under the age of five make up 11 per cent and 32 per cent are children aged six to seventeen. Many of these children have experienced war, violence, acts of cruelty and similar traumas. Others have been exposed indirectly through their parents traumatizing experiences. Such experiences are today increasingly recognized as being a similar burden to a child as if they are assaulted themselves. The adults often have very big problems and the children run the risk of having their problems concealed. Registration data and statistics are generally not produced in a way that makes the exposed situation of children visible. The childrens reasons for asylum in their own right are rarely investigated.

Rehabilitation as a form of reparation under International law

The Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparations for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law (Basic Principles) further clarify this right. These Principles indicate the types of reparation that may be needed, depending on the particular circumstances of the case, to afford adequate and effective reparation to victims, explicitly recognising five forms of reparation for such violations: restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.

Children, torture and psychological consequences

Deliberate infliction of pain and suffering or intimidation or coercion on children to obtain a confession or information, for punishment of real or perceived offences on the basis of discrimination about race, ethnic or political affiliation, is practiced in many places around the world. Impact of torture on children may vary depending on the child’s coping strategies, cultural and social circumstances.

Sexual violence against women and girls in war and its aftermath: realities, responses, and required resources

Addressing GBV requires coordinated, inter-agency, and multi-sectoral strategies that aim for prevention through policy reform and implementation of protective mechanisms and building the capacity of health, social welfare, legal and security systems to recognize, monitor, and respond to GBV; in addition to ensure rapid and respectful services to survivors (34 pages, .pdf. for historical reference).

Because I am a Girl: the State of the Worlds Girls reports

The public images of war focus almost exclusively on young men  armed forces, suicide bombers, young men throwing stones at soldiers. The fact that girls remain invisible casts a long shadow on their involvement in war, particularly as the changing nature of war and conflict means that increasingly, civilians are affected as war is played out closer to people’s homes.

Security Council Cross Cutting Report Children and armed conflict

These reports track Security Council involvement with children and armed conflict over the years, highlighting trends since the issue first emerged as a separate thematic agenda item in 1998. The present report covers relevant developments at the thematic level during 2014 and into the first half of 2015 (40 pages).

Women Against Violence Europe (WAWE)

The original idea of founding the network can be traced back to a number of international events. The widening of transnational co-operation began with the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna in 1993. This conference established that acts of violence committed against women constituted severe human rights violations. These violations related, for instance, to the right to inviolability and the right to freedom from fear and coercion.

The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)

ECRE is a pan-European alliance of 82 NGOs protecting and advancing the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons. Our mission is to promote the establishment of fair and humane European asylum policies and practices in accordance with international human rights law.

Visits to Greece carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)

A report prepared by European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. (2016) The primary purpose of the CPT’s April and July 2016 visits to Greece was to examine the situation of refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants who were held in Reception and Identification Centres (RICs) on the Aegean islands following the entry into force of the European Union-Turkey Statement on 20 March 2016. The visits also examined the particular situation of foreign national children deprived of their liberty in Greece

Guide to Jurisprudence on Torture and Ill-Treatment

Article 3 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.

Medica Mondiale

Medica Mondiale acts to support traumatised women and girls in war and crisis zones and views its role as that of an advocate for the rights and interests of women who have survived sexualised wartime violence.

Red Cross Rehabilitation Centre

The centre offers help to refugees with residence and work permits, as well as asylum seekers who suffer from trauma due to torture and/or war. (web site available in Swedish, English, Arab, Turkish and Persia language)

Centre for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (CTD)

The objectives of Kris- och Traumacentrum are to assess and treat trauma and torture sequelae among victims residing in the greater Stockholm area, provide documentation for assistance in asylum or other processes through the application of forensic, psychiatric and psychological methods, disseminate knowledge on trauma and torture sequelae among health professionals, the general public, and policy-makers through education, publications, and/or advocacy (only available in Swedish).

NAGA, Centro Har Per Rifugiati E Vittime Della Torture

The primary objectives are to support refugees and torture survivors before and after they have obtained political asylum in Italy, and highlight refugees´ problems and their right to public opinion (available in Italian).

Access to health care for asylum seekers – BMA

BMA has produced this guidance note in response to queries from doctors treating asylum seekers. (This particular briefing only addresses the rights of asylum seekers and not broader questions of the eligibility of overseas visitors to receive medical treatment in the UK).

Rehabilitation Centre for Refugees (RCF)

RCF is a pre-rehabilitation- and treatment centre operating within the statutory framework concerning the employment legislation for refugees with psycho-social problems and difficulties with integration into the Danish system, such as the repercussions of torture, war and escape (in Danish).

Health needs of asylum seekers and refugees

People who are seeking asylum are not a homogeneous population. Coming from different countries and cultures, they have had, in their own and other countries, a wide range of experiences that may affect their mental and physical health and nutritional state. In the United Kingdom they face the effects of poverty, dependence, and lack of cohesive social support. All these factors undermine both physical and mental health.