Building Capacity to Eradicate and Prevent Torture

Restart Center has been a pioneer in building the capacities of law enforcement personnel and fostering partnerships with various National Security Forces and human rights institutions to eradicate and prevent torture. Through its expertise and specialization, the center has successfully initiated collaborative projects with governmental institutions. Most notably, the Ministry of Justice has partnered with Restart Center to advance the use of forensic evidence in combating torture. Additionally, the center has worked closely with the Internal Security Forces to improve prison systems, their staff, and the conditions of individuals deprived of their freedom through a comprehensive capacity-building program. This program encompasses several key components:

Legal Framework:

Lebanese legislation and international legal frameworks represented by conventions related to torture and ill-treatment.

Places of Detention:

• Monitoring places of detention.
• United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
• United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules).
• United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures (Tokyo Rules).
• Principles for effective interviewing in investigations and information gathering (Méndez Principles).

Torture Documentation:

Implementation of the Istanbul Protocol for effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

Monitoring Mechanisms

International mechanisms for monitoring human rights to ensure the enforcement of international human rights law.

Capacity Building for Health and Mental Health Professionals:

• Early detection and identification of torture victims.
• Management of emergency mental health cases, including psychotic disorders, depression, suicide prevention, altered mental states, calming strategies, substance use disorders, seizure episodes, non-epileptic psychogenic seizures, and panic disorders.
• Identification and referral of torture victims to mental health specialists.
• Development and management of rehabilitation programs for torture victims.
• Support for four Syrian experts in building rehabilitation programs within Syria through a series of visits and workshops, which included baseline assessments to identify priorities such as data protection policies, human resource management, financial systems, networking, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Enhancement of listening and support skills, with a focus on identifying individuals at risk of suicide, self-harm, or harming others.
• Management of cases requiring psychiatric hospitalization.
• Training security guards to handle situations involving refugees in cases of anger.
• Bio-psychosocial management of pain in burn patients and the use of psychotropic medications in hospitals.
• Provision of psychological first aid and self-care training.
• Addressing shared components in psychological treatment.

Caregiver Support Program:

The Caregiver Support Program is designed to equip caregivers with the tools necessary to manage stress, restore energy, and prevent burnout. This ensures their ability to continue providing the high level of care and support required in their roles.

Through these initiatives, Restart Center continues to champion the fight against torture and promote the dignity and rights of all individuals.