In tough times, Benghazi commemorates 'International Day Against Torture'

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Saturday, June 22, 2013

In tough times, Benghazi commemorates ‘International Day AgainstTorture’

Benghazi,the birthplace of Libya’s February 17th Revolution, is fraught thesedays with risk. In the past month, there have been bombings of police andmilitary installations, tense demonstrations, and shootouts between securityforces and other armed groups, resulting in dozens of casualties and hundredsof injuries. OMCT is treading into this uncertain terrain this week to call foran end to the violence on the occasion of June 26, the International Day inSupport of Victims of Torture.

Forthe second time since the revolution, OMCT is supporting its Libyan partners intheir commemoration of this day. OMCT is accompanying the National Council of CivilLiberties and Human Rights in organizing a public conference on June 26 titled,Drawing from the past to master ourfuture: the fight against torture in Libya. The event will focus on issuesof collective trauma and transitional justice.

In thedays leading up to this conference, Benghazi artists ‘Hamzawi’ and ‘Nadeer’will lead a graffiti workshop for Benghazi youth. They will create a streetmural against torture with the support of Tunisian artists ‘Willis from Tunis’and the ‘Zwewla’ group, as well as OMCT and the Cultural Council of the Unionfor the Mediterranean. Symbolically, the mural will be painted (with permission)on the wall of a militia headquarters. Currun Singh, Regional Advisor of OMCT,said, “It’s important to push this conversation beyond the walls of theconference room. The people of Benghazi were the first to take the streets inthe revolution and now you see amazing art everywhere on the street. Therevolution was only the beginning and we stand united with Benghazi to say noto torture and no to violence.”

Filmscreenings, a poetry night, and a musical concert are among the other events thisweek organized by OMCT and its Libyan partners on the occasion of theInternational Day in Support of Victims of Torture (see full program above and to the right). OMCT has been active in Libya ever sincethe Abu Salim prison massacre in 1996, which it brought to the attention of theHuman Rights Committee of the United Nations. Since the revolution, it has beenaccompanying civil society in fighting against torture and supporting legalreforms.
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The program of OMCT Libya is supported by the European Union. The content of this statement is the sole responsibility of OMCT.

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For more information, contact: Currun Singh KarimSalemMENA Advisor ProjectCoordinator
Email: cs@omct.org Email:ks@omct.org
Tel: +216 71 322 561 / + 41 22 809 4939 Tel: +216 71 322 561 / + 41 22 809 4939

Createdin 1985, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is today the maincoalition of international NGOs fighting against torture, summary executions,enforced disappearances and all other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.With 311 affiliated organisations in its SOS-Torture Network and tens ofthousands of correspondents in every country, OMCT is the strongest network ofNGOs working to protect and promote human rights around the world. For moreinformation, visit us at www.omct.org,on Facebook or Twitter.