Voice Against Torture (VAT) came into being on 1st January 1988. VAT represents the first organized and systematic effort to combat serious problems of torture in Pakistan. It is an inter-disciplinary forum for the struggle against all forms of torture and for the treatment and rehabilitation of torture survivors and their families. Professionals from every sphere of life, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapists, lawyers, social counselors, human rights activists, social workers, research and documentation experts, put in their efforts to achieve the aims and objectives of this organization.
DISSEMINATION
of information among the people about the different methods and purposed of all forms of torture prevalent in society.
MOBILIZING
public opinion for the eradication of all forms torture prevalent in society.
MAKING
doctors and the medical staff working with the state investigation agencies, realize that promoting and protecting torture through medical practices torture is a serious challenge for the medical profession.
CONDUCT TRAINING
courses of professionals like doctors, psychiatrists, physiologists, psychotherapists, lawyers, social workers, prison/police health staff and teachers to give them the relevant information on treatment of torture victims.
DEVELOPING AWARENESS
among the doctors through dissemination and training to follow the 1975 World Medical Association’s declaration of Tokyo.
CONVINCING
Pakistan Medical And Dental Council (PMDC) of the importance including a clause against torture in its code of medical ethics.
ENSURING
that doctors do not participate in any procedure of torture, for example:
- a. They do not participate in cover-up activities such as providing false death certificates or false clinical records of victims of torture.
- b. They do not monitor torture by being present during any act of torture, or by declaring a person fit for torture, or by advising how far the tortures my proceed, or by reviving victims sufficiently victims sufficiently to undergo another bout of torture.
- c. They should not use their professional skills to extract information to control prisoners or simply for punishment.
- d. They should strive to provide the best quality treatment to prisoners and people in detention, and do not have a biased attitude towards them.
PROVIDING SUPPORT
to all the doctors who refuse to participate in acts of torture, so that they and their families are not victimized by different agencies.
COLLECTING EVIDENCE
against doctors who have chosen to become instrumental in the procedure of torture. Furthermore, presenting these cases to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the courts, the media and the public, so that mandatory actions are taken against their criminal acts.
MOBILIZING OPINION
among the community of scientists in such a way that they refuse to make instruments, which could be used in the process of inflicting torture.
CONDUCTING RESEARCH
on all forms of torture, their effects and methods of treatment, including rehabilitation.
PROVIDING
free medical facilities for the treatment of torture victims.
PROVIDING NECESSARY
specialized professional information to doctors who are treating torture victims.
PROVIDING
specialized center where victims of any type could be referred from anywhere for treatment and rehabilitation.
MAINTAINING
linkages and communication with other anti-torture organizations in the world besides sharing experience and participating in joint activities, workshops and seminars.
ACKNOWLEDGING & SUPPORTING
the activities of other human rights organizations at both national and international level.
DUE TO the misinterpretations of religion, from time to time, people have suffered torture, violence, and maltreatment at almost every front. And those falling prey to the insatiable motifs of the fabricators, do not necessarily belong to a particular stratum of society. The victims of torture may be women, children, or people having diverse backgrounds.
The target groups mostly encountered are:
- Individuals suffering torture in prisons, police stations, or at the hands of other investigation agencies.
- Women suffering different forms of torture.
- Children suffering from different traumas.
- Individuals facing torture as a result of misinterpretation of religion.
IN ORDER to cater for such victims efficiently, Voice Against Torture adheres to the following principles:
- The particulars of torture survivors are kept strictly secret and confidential.
- Torture survivors may themselves come to VAT, or can be referred by a doctor or health professional, hospital or any other organization.
- Treatment is free for all torture victims and there is no discrimination on the basis of age, gender, religion, political affiliation, ethnicity etc.