Global Corpse Politics

Taboos have long been considered key examples of norms in global politics, with important strategic effects. Auchter focuses on how obscenity functions as a regulatory norm by focusing on dead body images. Obscenity matters precisely because it is applied inconsistently across multiple cases. Examining empirical cases including ISIS beheadings, the death of Muammar Qaddafi, Syrian torture victims, and the fake death images of Osama bin Laden, this book offers a rich theoretical explanation of the process by which the taboo surrounding dead body images is transgressed and upheld, through mechanisms including trigger warnings and media framings. This corpse politics sheds light on political communities and the structures in place that preserve them, including the taboos that regulate purported obscene images. Auchter questions the notion that the key debate at play in visual politics related to the dead body image is whether to display or not to display, and instead narrates various degrees of visibility, invisibility, and hyper-visibility.

Engaging torture survivors in the global fight against torture

Lived experience can be emancipating and also paralysing, but foremost, it is immensely valuable to combat what has been suffered in first person (Henry, 2021). How to recognise that contribution and engage torture survivors in the global fight against torture? What role do survivors play in society? How to involve survivors in advocacy and policy-making processes? What are the existing power (in)balances at play? Who gets to decide whether a survivor should speak up or not? Acknowledging that it can prompt some organisational, therapeutic, and professional considerations, what are the limits? How do we ensure that the survivor’s well-being is protected along the process? To what extend should survivors be engaged in our organisation’s decision-making? In front of the current on-going debate on the need of actively engaging torture survivors in the global fight against torture, IRCT held a webinar to explore this topic. The webinar examined torture survivor engagement in the rehabilitation process of rebuilding lives, seeking justice and torture prevention. This article summarises the discussion held during the webinar with the presentations from Léonce Byimana[1], Feride Rushiti[2], Kolbassia Haoussou[3] and Vasfije Karsniqi-Goodman[4] and further inputs from other IRCT-members. [1] Executive Director of Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) [2] Executive Director of the Kosova Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCTV) [3] Director of Survivor Empowerment at Freedom From Torture [4] Survivor and member of the Kosovan parliament

“A random system”

Introduction: This article addresses the provision of rehabilitation services for torture victims with a refugee background in Norway. It engages the topic from the outset of relevant rehabilitation rights and duties, presenting the organisation of rehabilitation services within the Norwegian health care system, and exploring the challenges and opportunities professionals see and experience as they seek to provide adequate treatment and rehabilitation for torture victims. Methods and material: The article is based on qualitative interviews with 46 experts and practitioners that contribute to or otherwise focus on treatment and rehabilitation for torture victims in Norway, conducted between March and August 2019. Findings and discussion: Rehabilitation services for torture victims in Norway are fragmented, and the resulting practice is highly person dependent. Public services are characterised by insufficient knowledge about torture injuries and rehabilitation and a generalised lack of familiarity with international protocols for identification and documentation of torture. Moreover, the quality of rehabilitation services suffers from a lack of coordination and inclusion of actors that can contribute to comprehensive rehabilitation processes. Conclusion: Individuals with a refugee background are far from guaranteed adequate rehabilitation for torture-related injuries in Norway. Rehabilitation services suffer from the absence of a systematic approach to identification and documentation, and an unclear division of responsibilities. Three recommendations are proposed in order to ensure minimum standards in rehabilitation services for this group: 1) developing and implementing a national plan of action on torture rehabilitation; 2) knowledge and capacity-building within relevant educational programmes, the national health services and other relevant public sector services; and 3) strengthening and institutionalising interdisciplinary communities of practice with specialised expertise on the topic at all relevant levels.

International survey of the utilisation in treatment centers for survivors of torture

Introduction: Literature about treatment of survivors of torture tends to focus on counseling and primary medical care. There are fewer published articles about the utilization of physiotherapy at treatment centers for survivors of torture and other forms of trauma. Methods: Lists were compiled of about 169 treatment centers receiving funding from the United National Voluntary Fund, 150 from the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, and another 40 treatment centers in the United States through the National Capacity Building Project. A survey about utilization of physiotherapy at treatment centers for survivors was created which included questions about the utilization of physiotherapy, treatment modalities provided by physiotherapists, other professionals working at the centers, perceived barriers to providing physiotherapy and interest in collaboration as a global physiotherapy community. Surveys were emailed to centers in French, Spanish and/or English. Results: 87 responses were received, for a response rate of 43% (87 of 200 emails sent). Approximately 30% of centers report that their clients have no access to physiotherapy, with one third of the centers having physiotherapy on staff (in contrast with 85% of survey respondents having psychotherapy/counseling on staff, 73% having social work on staff and 55% primary medicine). About one third of responding torture treatment programs reported being able to refer to physiotherapists outside of their centers. Therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, massage, and group activities and exercises were the most commonly reported treatment modalities provided by physiotherapists. Lack of funds or resources and shortage of physiotherapy personnel were perceived as being the biggest challenges limiting clients’ access to physiotherapy. Twenty-nine of the respondents (33%) were physiotherapists, and of these, 90% reported being interested in collaborative activities with other physiotherapists working with survivor of torture.

Torture and torture practices in Tanzania: Knowledge, attitudes and practice among medical professionals

Introduction: Medical professionals have a key role in addressing torture and need an awareness and knowledge of torture in relation to rehabilitation approaches, prevention and international standards. This study was undertaken with the aim of assessing the current knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical professionals in Tanzania, creating a baseline for possible future interventions. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A cross-sectional survey was carried out using an intervieweradministrated structured questionnaire with 31 questions. Five focus group discussions were held. 386 medical professionals participated in the study representing primary, secondary and tertiary levels of health care in five regions of mainland Tanzania: Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Mara and Mbeya.Results: Around 95% of all professionals acknowledged the existence of torture in Tanzania, but only 7% could correctly identify six different acts as being actual acts of torture according to the definition of the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Less than 15% were aware of relevant international standards like the Istanbul Protocol and the Mandela Rules. Up to 57% perceived that torture could be acceptable under certain circumstances. About 68% of all professionals reported to have encountered torture victims. The majority (82.9%) saw themselves as competent in the management of torture victims, but only 22% had received training specifically focusing on torture and its consequences. Most were interested in learning more on the subject. Conclusion: While medical professionals may be aware of theexistence of torture in the country and report encountering torture victims in their daily work, both the professionals’ skills and attitudes with regards to torture require development to intensify the workagainst torture in Tanzania. Intervention strategies should target training in medical schools and in-service training for medical professionals at all levels within the healthcare system.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FORENSIC MEDICAL DETERMINATION OF THE FORMATION MECHANISM OF BODY INJURIES DURING EXAMINATION OF DETAINED PERSONS

Detainees often complain about the unlawful use of force when special means and methods of detention were used, which they take as beatings and torture. Victims with such injuries commonly become the object of forensic medical examination of alive persons which is carried out during the trial and pre-trial investigation. There is a need to systematize and classify many types of mechanical and other types of injury: specific, typical or atypical for the well-known classical methods of hand-to-hand combat that law enforcement officers use. The purpose of this work was to characterize injuries in victims received during their detention by law enforcement agencies and provide their morphological and clinical analysis in order to identify ways to improve the effectiveness of these injuries’ forensic assessment in the examination of alive persons. Based on a retrospective morphological and clinical analysis of archival materials of the Kharkiv Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, the frequency and types of injuries, that were detected during the examination, of suspects injured in the course of their arrest by law enforcement agencies were determined. The features of forensic medical expert assessment in determining the mechanism, the severity of injuries associated with the detention of suspects by law enforcement agencies were defined. In the forensic medical expert practice, in the examination of alive persons when determining severity of injuries to suspects detained by law enforcement agencies, slight injuries and, in certain cases, injuries of moderate severity prevailed. The localization and the mechanism of bodily injuries formation in detained victims, in some cases, allows to qualify such injuries as specific for detention by law enforcement agencies. A further prospect of this study is the identification and justification of clear diagnostic indications for the forensic assessment of bodily injuries received by suspects when detained by law enforcement agencies that arise from the action of blunt solid, sharp objects, gunshot wounds.

Documentation of torture in children and young adults: Time to reflect

Documenting torture in children and young adults (ChYA) is a challenge. Less than 3% of academic papers on documentation and rehabilitation of torture victims are focused on children and youth. In the Delphi study on research priorities in the sector (Pérez-Sales, Witcombe, & Otero Oyague, 2017), five lines were proposed regarding torture in children, which covered: developmental disruptions related to the torture of relatives; developmental deficits related to infant torture; the effect on caregivers of torture/kidnapping of their children; the impact of torture on identity and worldviews among adolescents; and transgenerational trauma. The latter was considered among the 40 top research priorities. In this editorial, we briefly review: aspects related to the notion of torture as applied to ChYA; specific ethical problems in forensic documentation; and challenges in consistency statements. By doing so, we aim to outline key challenges that researchers and practitioners ought to pursue.

The Role of Physiotherapy in Direct Assistance to Victims of Torture: A Holistic Approach to Healing and Wellbeing

<p>Physiotherapy is considered a healthcare profession concerned with human function and movement, and maximising potential. It normally uses physical approaches to promote, maintain, and restore physical, psychological, and social well-being, taking account of the variations in health status. The human function is more than just a physical and movement issue. Physiotherapy plays a unique role in the rehabilitation of people who have been profoundly traumatised. Certain precautions are needed when handling survivors of torture, but sensitive physical techniques can relieve the legacies of severe pain, dysfunction, and stress. The physical medium is especially effective for people who are unable to speak of their experiences. (<em>Hough, 1992</em>) Trauma, especially those who have experienced torture and considerable life-threatening violence presents a very wide range of responses from an individual - responses that often include family members and close relationships. The <em>Humane to Humane</em> Transcultural Centre for Torture Victims in Manipur has been providing direct assistance to over 450 clients and their families in support with the UN Torture Fund since 2009.</p><p>Working with people who have been tortured has similarities to working with intensive care patients. There is a need for acute sensitivity to the client's responses, an extra awareness of the importance of autonomy, and an understanding of issues of power and helplessness. A multidisciplinary approach was adopted that included medical, psychological, creative movement therapy, social and financial assistance. Physiotherapy constituted an important component of the services provided by the centre, providing a vital link in rebuilding the personality of survivors of torture because trust can be fostered in the context of physical contact. Close liaison between the physiotherapist and other therapists is needed in this area of work. A combined approach is essential in the work and the support team also indulges in caring for each other and the luxury of co-working. The intimacy of our relationship with survivors of torture is matched by the perverted intimacy of their previous relationship with the torturer, and extra care is needed in this context.</p><p>This paper elaborates on the range of psychosocial, physical, and emotional responses to torture, the methodologies adopted, and the results obtained in our centre.</p>