European Network

Within the boundaries of the Council of Europe about 100 centres and programmes provide assistance to victims of human rights violations, either asylum seekers and refugees in host countries, or victims of past or current regimes.

Considering the political developments in Europe and in particular the fall of the Soviet regime, the enlargement of the European Union and the development of a common EU asylum system, there was a strong need for more cooperation and a sharing of experiences and expertise between the regional organisations providing support to victims of torture and also the appeal of facing new international challenges together.

Therefore, in 2003, the organisations created an informal network: The European Network of Rehabilitation Centres for Survivors of Torture.

This network presents three levels of activities:

Large networking conferences
Workshops and groups focusing on specific issues
A clinical discussion group
Ongoing dialogue and coordination through use of internet

Participants include psychotherapists, doctors, psychologists, social workers, lawyers and administrators.

After a first meeting initiated by the German Association of Centres for Victims of Torture and Refugees, annual meetings and conferences were held:

in October 2002 in Bad Boll, Germany (organised by the BAfF)
in April 2003 in Belgium (organised by the IRCT)
in September 2003 in the UK (organised by the Medical Foundation)
in April 2004 in Romania (organised by the ICAR Foundation)
in April 2005 in Switzerland (organised by the Swiss Red Cross)
in March 2006 in France (organised by the Primo Levi association)
in April 2007 in Turkey (organised by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey)
in April 2008 in Dublin, Ireland (organised by SPIRASI)
in May 2009 in Barcelona, Spain (organised by EXIL)
in May 2010 in Copenhagen, Denmark (organised by OASIS and RCT)