Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) Enugu and Abuja Offices have carried out several activities in commemoration of the June 26 United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. PRAWA Enugu carried out a media Report on Right to Rehabilitation which was broadcast on Radio Nigeria, Enugu zonal station and featuring Dr. Uju Agomoh, Executive Director, PRAWA; Prof Peter Ebigbo, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dept of Psychological Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; Barr (Dr) Okafor, Human Rights Activist/Legal Practitioner; Mr Ebere Amaraizu, Police Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Command; three victims of torture; and the Director, Enugu State Waste Management Authority (whose institution allegedly tortured two of the victims).

The report captured the experiences of the three victims of torture; the position of the Nigeria international legal frameworks; and the need for torture rehabilitation. PRAWA also carried out a Sensitization / Advocacy Rally by a cross-section of medical students from College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu and members of PRAWA team on Police Force on the use of torture; the illegality of torture and other ill-treatments as well as the right of victims to rehabilitation, as provided in the national and major streets in Enugu metropolis. Also as part of the commemoration PRAWA released a statement which noted the position of the organization on the right of torture victims to rehabilitation. This was posted on PRAWA website, on the Information Board of PRAWA Enugu office, and repeatedly read at the Sensitization / Advocacy Rally, using a public address system.

PRAWA Abuja office in commemoration produced a Statement which was sent to media houses in Abuja for broadcast to the public. PRAWA stated that victims of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment have a right to rehabilitation, in line with the theme of this year’s celebration which is Right to Rehabilitation which is pursuant to Article 14 of the Convention against Torture which provides that: “Each State Party shall ensure in its legal system that the victim of an act of torture obtains redress and has an enforceable right to fair and adequate compensation, including the means for as full rehabilitation as possible”

The statement also made it clear that this rehabilitation should be holistic, the government(s) in Nigeria through the relevant agencies have a financial obligation in providing this rehabilitation regardless of resources available, the rehabilitation must be accessible at the soonest possible point after torture, and that victims have a right to choose their provider, be it nongovernmental organizations or the state providing services.