The Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC) is the only organization founded by and for torture survivors. The mission of TASSC is to end the practice of torture wherever it occurs and to support and empower survivors, their families and communities wherever they are.
WHO WE ARE/CORE VALUES:
TASSC is a coalition of torture survivors, representing countries and ethnic groups throughout all parts of the world.
WHAT WE DO / GOALS:
Create a world-wide network of International Communities of Healing for torture survivors and their families
Influence domestic and international policy through advocacy, social action, public testimony, and targeted media campaigns
Monitor human rights violations in nations where TASSC members may be at risk
Operate Helping Hands, a direct assistance program for survivors
Coordinate the annual United Nations International Day in Support of Torture Victims and Survivors (June 26th)
Speak out personally to the public through the Truth Speakers program.
TASSC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and operates independently of any ideology, government or economic interest.
TASSC International welcomes the beginning of the end of lawlessness. President Obama’s orders are an important first step in restoring the rule of law; let us take the next steps with great care not to open the way for a return to the darkness of these last years.
TASSC International PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Harold Nelson Office: 202.529.2991 Cell: 202.431.9881
TORTURE SURVIVORS CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF BUSH, OTHERS
Washington, DC December 4, 2008--An international group of torture survivors has called upon the incoming Obama administration to investigate President Bush and others of his administration to determine if they have violated U.S. laws against torture and, therefore, should be prosecuted.
The survivors, members of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC), an organization founded by and for torture survivors, condemned proposals for bipartisan commissions as "nothing more than toothless tigers intended to paper over probable criminal conduct."
TASSC advocacy coordinator Harold Nelson denounced those opposing the investigation as "apologists for human rights violations, war crimes and the idea that the powerful are above the law." Nelson went on, "How could the Obama administration denounce human rights violations elsewhere if it refused to investigate those which may have been ordered by the leaders of our own government."
TASSC is part of a coalition including Human Rights USA, legal experts and others who are drawing up a criminal complaint to be presented to the new Attorney General calling for such an investigation.
Film Shines Light on Torture Through the Voices of Survivors
"Breaking the Silence: Torture Survivors Speak Out" is based on more than 40 interviews conducted by Terry Coonan and Valliere Richard Auzenne with members of TASSC -- survivors of torture from around the world. Throughout the film, the survivors recount both their torture and the emotional healing begun through TASSC.
TASSC International's Film "Breaking the Silence: Torture Survivors Speak Out" has been viewed in over 30 different locations around the United States including the Catholic University of America-Columbus Law School, American University, North Carolina Coptic Church groups, Los Angeles Catholic Church for Peace, Pakistan friends of peace in Pakistan, Rwanda Torture and Trauma groups, and many others!
Breaking the Silence will be showing at Chicago University, Howard University, and others, so check on our website for these updates!
While we have many scheduled showings of our documentary, we need your help to continue to get the word out.
Please consider ordering the DVD Documentary, arranging a house party, showing it in your workplace or school, religious center, etc.
With your help, we can spread the message that torture is wrong and to help us reach the goal of ridding our world of torture.
DVDs of "Breaking the Silence: Torture Survivors Speak Out" A donation of $25 would be appreciated. If you would like a documentary, please send an email to alice-z@tassc.org
From the Advocacy frontlines
The first step toward the possible investigation of George Bush and others for violating U.S. law by ordering torture has now been taken. We assumed that a Republican victory in the recent elections would render such an investigation extremely unlikely.
However, the Democratic victory does not assure that the Obama administration will support the investigation TASSC is seeking but it does make this action considerably more likely. In the comingmonths, it will be extremely important to let President-Elect Obama know that justice demands the appointment of an independent counsel. Please do whatever you can to generate support for TASSC's campaign.
And now, an update. A number of organizations are focusing on closing Guantanamo (and other prisons). It seems likely that the new administration will do so, at least as far as Guantanamo is concerned. We expect that after that prison is closed, the attention of these human rights groups will turn to the investigation we are calling for now.
“No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” —The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 5 (1948)
Torture Team By Phillipe Sands
Phillipe Sands book brings together a lot that was already known with some new information provided by interviews. This book was valuable in that it places the information in a coherent narrative.
Torture Survivors Call for the Investigation of Bush and others Please see
