Bringing the Tortured into the Light

A day conference at Redland FMH - 26 October 2002

"Killing a person without their dying" was how one speaker described the brutal practices which are commonplace in great areas of the world. Houri Ghamian courageously came to speak of her experiences as a victim in her country of origin, Iran. This was a harrowing and deeply moving contribution focusing our attention on the darkness which covers so much of the earth.

Clive Romain, a solicitor, gave a clear outline of the work of Amnesty International. For some years AI has campaigned against the death penalty, the ultimate torture. More and more countries have given it up, and there are hopeful signs even in the US. Clive identified ways in which legal action may be taken against torture, particularly the International Criminal Court, which came into being in July this year. AI is maintaining pressure on our government to support the Court, in opposition to the US.

Rachel Brett, who has worked at the Quaker UN Office in Geneva since 1993, spoke trenchantly and with a well-controlled passion of the vulnerability of children, even up to the age of 18, and their emotional needs in their formative years. A recent UN report points out that there is a hidden culture of trying children in military courts designed for adults. It recommends a provision that military tribunals should have no jurisdiction over juveniles.

How effective is the UN in achieving change? -very in some areas, little in others. A good example is Paraguay where 80% of conscripted soldiers are under the legal minimum age, drawn mainly from the underprivileged; many die or go into mental institutions. A conference was organised by the UN, to which many NGOs came and for the first time met the official in charge of recruitment. As a result a military-civilian commission was set up to go into all barracks and publish the names of under-age soldiers -a heartening instance of the UN bringing light into darkness. We need to keep ourselves informed about such successes by UN agencies at a time when there is such widespread denigration of the UN.

Helen Bamber spoke with deep understanding and sympathy of the victims who have reached the UK and whom the Medical Foundation helps in their struggle to "pick up the pieces". "We can not bring back their past, eliminate what has happened, but we can bear witness, share their testimony without recoiling." Our authorities refuse asylum seekers what they most need -the opportunity to work, to use their skills, to be valued. Recently the Foundation has had to face new problems as refugees are dispersed, and has to send trainers for sympathetic GPs and health professionals who find themselves helpless in trying to deal with victims of torture -"We haven't got time to listen to the silences" about pain, loss and anger. And children are held in "detention centres", imprisoned. Music therapy has been successful with some, helping them to deal with the rage as well as the tears.

The "Fortress Europe" policy is causing suffering and suicides. The Foundation's advocates have to combat the often cynical attitudes of authority, the cruelty of the Home Office in deporting people back to countries where they are known to be in danger, and sometimes disappear without trace. We must remember that pressure does make a difference, and urge government to look for solutions rather than closing doors. If we can publicise stories with human interest, people may be moved. "Terrible things are seen, and stories heard, but wonderful things are done."

The day was organised by Margaret Hodson and our own QFSW Support Group, and chaired by Chas Raws. Some 70 people came, the majority non-Quakers. It was encouraging to see so many young people among them. I hope that all of us who were present, and those who read this article, will renew our efforts to influence government and public opinion, and help the infinite ocean of light to flow over the ocean of darkness.

Max Greenwood