The Center for Victims of Torture
Announcement
The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), in conjunction with the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, is sponsoring a briefing on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT).
Established in 1981, UNVFVT was the first institution created to focus global attention on the impact of torture and the needs of its victims. UNVFVT currently provides financial support to about 200 torture survivor rehabilitation programs around the world, including more than 30 programs in the United States, for psychological, medical, social, legal and economic assistance to torture victims and members of their families. More than 70,000 torture survivors benefit from UNVFVT’s work each year.
The briefing will highlight UNVFVT’s international work, particularly in areas of the world which are of interest to the United States, but where U.S. dollars would be too dangerous or impossible for torture survivor rehabilitation centers to receive directly. The briefing will also focus on UNVFVT’s vital support to torture survivor rehabilitation centers in the United States.
The briefing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the media, and the interested public.
CVT CONTACT:
Jeanne Herrick-Stare
202-822-0188
jherrickstare@cvt.org
The Center for Victims of Torture works to heal the wounds of torture on individuals, their families and their communities and to stop torture worldwide. Founded in 1985, CVT is a private, international nonprofit organization based in Minnesota with offices and treatment programs in Washington D.C., Jordan, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Visit www.cvt.org.
649 Dayton Avenue • St. Paul, MN 55104 • 612.436.4800 • cvt@cvt.org • www.cvt.org
Participants
Panelists
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Mr. Ennio Boati, First Donor and External Relations Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
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Dr. Morad el-Shazly, Member, UNVFVT Board of Trustees
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Ms. Celia VanDeGraaf, Executive Director, Center for Survivors of Torture (Texas)
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Ms. Ann Marie Winter, Administrator, Programs, Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services (Florida)
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Suresh, Center for Survivors of Torture (Texas) client, torture survivor
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Pedro, Florida Center for Survivors of Torture client, torture survivor