The main purpose of the project is to provide access of victims of torture in Romania to multi-disciplinary assistance as well as to build capacity of Romanian specialists to provide rehabilitation services.
This is an 18-month long project (1st of October 2014 – 31st of March 2015) funded by the European Commission. The general objective of the project is to decrease vulnerability and marginalisation of victims of torture among asylum seekers, refugees and former political prisoners in Romania through appropriate multidisciplinary services by improving their physical and mental condition and contribute to their (re)integration.
ICAR Foundation team intends to:
- Consolidate outreach rehabilitation activities for victims of torture in the 6 reception and accommodation centres of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) in Bucharest, Giurgiu, Galati, Radauti, Somcuta Mare and Timisoara and to secure the rehabilitation activity and further capacity building of the 2 existing rehabilitation centres in Romania (Bucharest and Craiova).
- Provide access for victims of torture among asylum seekers/ refugees and former political prisoners to multi-disciplinary assistance, including physical and psycho-therapeutic treatment, psychological counselling, social assistance and activities, as well as legal services.
- Build capacity and increase the quality of rehabilitation services through professional development of Romanian specialists by refining the “Psycho-therapeutic approach in trauma documentation process” – an innovative approach successfully applied by the Danish partner in their activity.
- Exploring the significance and impact of the political context (and continued impunity) on the rehabilitation work in Romania (with the input from a British independent expert)
- Continue active participation of the Romanian centres in international networking among rehabilitation centres by contributing to the exchange of good practices among specialists, facilitate peer supervision and increase international awareness on the existence and special needs of victims of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment among Romanian former political prisoners in Bucharest and Craiova and victims of torture among asylum seekers and refugees in Bucharest, Galati, Giurgiu, Radauti, Somcuta Mare and Timisoara. For victims of torture among asylum seekers and refugees a special attention will be paid to the cultural background, accuracy of communication (well trained interpreters), establishment of intercultural understanding and mutual respect.
While the largest part of the project is dedicated to direct provision of rehabilitation services to victims, the project will also include a complex professional development component which will be designed and delivered with input from recognized organizations and experts in the field from Denmark. The project will also benefit from the experience of an independent British expert, whose role is that of raising awareness regarding the importance and impact of the political context on the rehabilitation process evolution and outcome.
Partner organisations: DIGNITY – The Danish Institute Against Torture – and MRCT Craiova