A Philippine Human Rights NGO providing Psychosocial Services and Rehabilitation
to Internally Displaced Persons and Survivors of Torture and Organized Violence.
A Philippine Human Rights NGO providing Psychosocial Services and Rehabilitation
to Internally Displaced Persons and Survivors of Torture and Organized Violence.
Over the last ten years, thousands of civilians, particularly in southern Philippines, were uprooted by recurrent episodes of militarization. The clashes between government forces and various groups fighting for reforms and self-governance have inevitably widened the crack in human security. They also harmed and put into peril the physical, economic, cultural and psychosocial resources of many communities.
Torture is a crime under domestic (RA 9745) and international law and is prohibited in all circumstances even in situations of armed conflict. Though legal instruments and treaties (i.e. RA 9745 and UNCAT) are already established in order to prevent torture from happening, the practice of torture in the Philippines is still pervasive. The practice of torture is routinely employed by State authorities to quash the expression of legitimate political dissent or as a shortcut method to address the problem of criminality and keep peace and order. In any case, the practice of torture is deeply rooted in the worsening problem of poverty and inequalities within the Philippine society. Torture destroys the will and spirit of the victim, alters his or her relationship with others (traumatization) and instills fear and anxiety to family and community members of the victim (collective traumatization).
Copyright © 2012. Balay Rehabilitation Center
25 Maalindog Street, UP Village, Quezon City, Philippines
Phone: +63 2 929 8054; +63 2 426 3825; Fax: +63 2 921 6301
Email: balayrehabilitationcenterinc@gmail.com
This website was made possible thru the support of the Rehabilitation and
Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT).