North East Supporters’ Group

Newsletter[Edition 5,

November 2016]

Tents at Calais (by Christian Payne, Flickr Creative Commons)

CLOSURE OF CALAIS JUNGLEWhat does this mean for torture

survivors seeking protection?

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Contents ContactsAbout FFT 3 Chair: Vacant

FFT Timeline 4 Secretary: Tom Jarman

Chair’s Annual Report   5 Treasurer: Shirley Mansfield

Dates for your Diary 7 Events: Louise Wellington

How can you help? 8 Social Media/Newsletter: Tori Dunford

Host an event 8You can contact us on:

fftnesg@gmail.comRecent Events 9

Twitter: @FreedomSGNE Durham Bike Ride 10

Christmas Cards 11 The Alan Smithson RoomsCity House

Book Review 12 1 City RoadNewcastle upon Tyne

Make a Donation 14 NE1 2AF

A Pause for Thought 15t 0191 261 5825

f 0191 222 1211

Join our e-mailing list: fftnesg@gmail.com

Visit our local group site: http://www.freedomfromtorture.org/get-involved/volunteering/local-groups/north_east_england

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About Freedom from Torture FfT, previously known as the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, was formed in the 1980s by a group of health professionals, including its founder Helen Bamber, with the assistance of Amnesty International in recognition of the desperate need for treatment for torture survivors. FfT is a registered charity supported almost wholly by voluntary donations.

Our mission statement is to enable survivors of torture and organised violence to engage in a healing process in order to assert their own human dignity and worth. We provide medical and social care, practical assistance and psychological and physical therapy. FfT raise awareness of torture practices across the world and the consequences of torture.

“The only thing that torture guarantees is pain, it never guarantees the truth.”

(Joe Navarro, former FBI interrogator)

We assist through:

Medico-Legal Reports – reports detailing a medical examination and opinion on physical and/or psychological torture prepared for legal purposes.

Casework – assistance with welfare rights. Counselling and psychological therapies, including art and music

therapy etc.

“Let us be clear: torture can never be an instrument to fight terror, for torture is an instrument of terror.” (Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General)

"You have brought light into my life that I have never had before and I found out there is still someone outside who could understand my situation and try to help. This is the only way I might receive support and have some security in my life and my daughter's life." (FfT client)

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Timeline: 1985 – 2015:Freedom from Torture began 30 years ago as The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. It grew out of Amnesty International's Medical Group who set out to provide survivors with medical treatment, counselling, therapy and to document evidence of torture.

1985A year after the Convention Against Torture was adopted by the UN, the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture was founded in a hut in the backyard of Amnesty International’s office

1990Supporters helped raise £1m to move to new premises in Kentish Town, London.

1994We began to see survivors from the Rwandan Genocide

1998The organisation played an important role in the quest to bring President Augusto

Pinochet to justice by supplying affidavits concerning more than 60 cases of torture and disappearance

1999Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture doctors participated in drafting the Istanbul Protocol, which set the international guidelines for the documentation of torture

2003Freedom from Torture’s North West centre opened in Manchester

2004Freedom from Torture’s Scotland centre opened and the new purpose-built centre was finished in London

2006Freedom from Torture’s North East centre welcomed first clients in Newcastle

2009Freedom from Torture’s West Midlands centre opened in Birmingham

2010Survivors Speak OUT(SSO) began as a national network of torture survivors who are all

former clients of Freedom from Torture2011The organisation officially changed its name from the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture to Freedom from Torture

2013

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Jon Snow, Channel 4 News, joined Freedom from Torture in the Houses of Parliament to launch The Poverty Barrier report, the most comprehensive study of the impact of

poverty on torture survivors’ mental health in the UK.2015More than 180 people volunteer throughout our five centres and we schedule around 23,000 appointments each year

Chair’s Annual Report – May 2016

So what has happened this past year? We have said goodbye to some of our oldest supporters, those who helped set up the original Supporters’ Group quite a few years ago. This year June Walker stepped down from more active involvement in the Committee. But I am glad to say we have continued to keep in touch with June and other long-term supporters, as we saw them at our social event in January.

It has been a busy year, especially with a much smaller Committee due to retirements, illness and commitments. They say that if you want something done, ask a busy person! And our busy people have been stretched with other work that they do. We know that coming to the meetings isn’t how most people want to support the work that FFT does, but please come along if you can as we need some more people on the Committee to help with the Supporters’ Group.

Despite this, the Supporters’ Group continue to carry out regular talks, which are so important to let people know about FFT, and raise funds as well as recruit new supporters. They have visited Newcastle and Sunderland Universities, met student groups and spoken at Churches and community groups. This included a very successful event at the Holy Name Church in Jesmond, with good attendance and generous donations.

We are also very proud of the 'Giving Voice' event at Brunswick Church, Newcastle in June 2015. This was a joint event with the local Amnesty International group to mark UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. It was opened by writer and publisher Peter Mortimer, and speakers included Chi Onwurah MP. There were readings by the Poetry Virgins, actors from Monkfish Production and music from the Crossings Women's Choir and One Love Hip-hop Crew. Richard Cotter from Amnesty gave a presentation about their work and Louise Wellington spoke about FFT. Refreshments were provided by local supermarkets, bakeries and supporters. Radio Newcastle also interviewed Louise Wellington and Centre Manager Tamara Birkett and broadcast the interviews on the morning of the event.

The Supporters Group have also attended the Human Rights Day event at Sunderland Minster, the Newcastle Unity Festival and two North East Vegan Festivals.

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Once again I was back on my bike! You may remember this was FFT’s 30th anniversary year, so across the country there were ‘30 for 30’ events, where people did 30 of something to mark 30 years of FFT. My contribution was a 30km cycle ride, which has raised nearly £400. Another supporter completed a bike ride for FFT, raising nearly £200.

In the past year we have raised over £6,000. Some of this has been used to support clients of the local FFT centre, for example buying booster seats for taking children to the Minstreracres Residential Centre, helping a client who needed a decent bed, and supporting one client in accessing a foundation course for education. Money has also been sent to London to support the work of the national FFT centre.

And we continue to have a good level of support – over 280 supporters who have signed up for information and updates, as well as some 200 Twitter followers. I know we don’t meet most of you at the Committee meetings, but we do appreciate your support and if do come along to one of the events please come and say hello!

This is my last annual report as Chair, as I am stepping down at the May AGM. I do hope you can come to the AGM and participate in the Group. With best wishes,

Mike Winstanley

Could you be our next Chair?

Our previous chair, the wonderful Mike Winstanley, stepped down from the role in May after a number of years of dedication

to the role.

Mike has put a huge amount of work into the Supporters’ Group and the North East Centre, through awareness raising and

fundraising as well as being an active member of the Speakers’ Group which has done so much to engage with the public in the

region.

We’re sure you will all join in thanking Mike for all his efforts and wishing him well in his future endeavours.

If you would like to become more involved in the work of the Supporters’ Group or if you would be interested in taking up the

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role of the Chair please contact us on 0191 257 6244, 07914 750 076 or fftnesg@gmail.com.

We’d love to have you on board!

Dates for Your Diary!

14th November, 6.00pm – Supporters’ Group MeetingNEW LOCATION: Broadacre House, Market Street, Newcastle NE1 6HQPlease attend if you can! We are appealing for more members for the regular committee, we don’t need many but we do need more help as our ability to organise events and fundraising is very constrained at the moment through lack of numbers.

20th November – NE Vegan Festival, Stadium of Light, SunderlandWe will have a stall with Amnesty International. Come and join us if you can! If you are able to spare some free time to assist on the stall please email louisewell@gmail.com.

10th December – International Human Rights DayKeep an eye on your emails for news of our event to celebrate the day the Universal Declaration on Human Rights was signed.

9th January, 6.00pm – Supporters’ Group MeetingBroadacre House, Market Street, Newcastle NE1 6HQ

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How can you help?

Become a Supporters’ Group member Speak in public on our behalf with our Speakers’ Group Join our mailing list by emailing fftnesg@gmail.com Arrange a fundraising event Make a regular donation Volunteer with FfT - www.freedomfromtorture.org/working-

for-us/5373  

Would you like to host an FfT speaker and film event?

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Our Speakers’ Group is always eager to spread the word and would love to come to speak to your organisation or group. We are able to screen a number of short films.

Please contact Tom Jarman at fftnesg@gmail.com for information.

Recent Events

NE Vegan Festival – May 2016:We joined forces with Amnesty International to spread the word. Here are a few photographs of the event with our very own Louise Wellington and supporter Linda Topping.

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DURHAM BEAST CYCLE RIDE (50 MILES) 20th SEPT. 2015 By Dennis Connor

Months of training were now over, and with 600 other cyclists I was now at the start line for The Durham Beast Cycle Ride 2015. My “Trek” mountain bike (with road tyres for the event) only just fitted into the back of the car as I set off for Durham – nearly beaten by the Beast before I even reached the start line!

The ride starts at Sniperley Park and Ride car park, adjacent to the A691 on the western edge of Durham city. The weather on the day was cloudy, cool and dry, with only a light wind, not beastly conditions at all. At 9am the starter horn sounded, and with a slight wobble and a wave we all set off. The route initially aims for Sacriston, using country lanes and a few “warm up” steep hills. So at this stage The Beast is being playful. The views to distant hills as we progress along a ridge road are fantastic.The route then goes towards Burnhope and Maiden Law, before some long downhill sections on the approach to Iveston. The Beast suddenly turned nasty at this point, and I struggled to climb hills which appeared to be as steep as cliffs. The Beast won on one of the hills, as I ended up pushing the bike to the top - only to be photographed by a local newspaper reporter as I gasped for breath.

The route between Iveston and Tow Law is a mix of long downhill runs and sudden steep climbs. I arrived at the Tow Law “pit stop” around 1pm. By now all but 4 of the 600 riders had already wizzed by on their way back to Durham. I asked about when most riders had gone through Tow Law, and found they were 90 minutes ahead of me! But the

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fight goes on, and fortified by water, a banana and a Mars bar I set off on the remaining 20 miles!

A few steep hills again near Waterhouses, but quiet country lanes for the most part. Then on to National Cycle Network Route 14 near Langley Park; a treat to ride on as it gently winds it’s way the last 5 miles to Durham. The Beast is being kind again!

The last 2 miles are on fairly busy urban roads, then at around 4pm I arrived at the finish with two other riders; tired, but exhilarated to have raised £175.00 for FFT. A few photos crossing the line, then home for a shower and a few beers.

After 7 hours The Beast was tamed, but not tortured. Perhaps some of you readers would like to join me next year to raise money for FFT? There is also the option of battling a smaller Beast, i.e. 25 miles. Details are on www.durhambigride.co.uk

Support FfT at Christmas Show your love to friends and family with our selection of beautiful Christmas cards…

Iqbal, a client of FfT, started painting again when he fled to the UK from Sri Lanka. He said “When I first arrived, I felt so lost like an orphan. I began

to paint again in the UK after I saw snow on leaves on my way to a session at Freedom from Torture. I had an idea, I felt inspired and it made

me want to paint again. I have had good thoughts and ideas from coming here to calm my mind. I

enjoy art, it gives me peace. When I am confused I go to painting.”

Available at: https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/fft-shop

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Guantanamo DiaryBy Mohamedou Ould Slahi (edited by Larry Siems)

A Review by Louise WellingtonThis book, the only first-hand account by a Guantanamo Bay detainee, is a shocking read. It takes the form of a diary written by Mohamedou Slahi a Mauritanian national who was interrogated and imprisoned first in 2000 in Senegal, then in 2001 in Mauritania, before being rendered first to Jordan, then Bagram in Afghanistan, and finally in 2002 to Guantanamo Bay. However the diary is much more than simply a factual record. Mohamedou writes eloquently of his thoughts and emotions, frequently reflecting on his situation and that of other people he encounters. During his imprisonment he was interrogated by Mauritanian security, Jordanian security, the FBI, CIA and finally the US military. After years of abuse including torture, sensory deprivation and sexual assault he finally broke and agreed to confess to anything and everything they put to him. The catch 22 here is that he was unable to supply information about any of the things he was accused of because he was innocent and had no knowledge of them!In 2005, three years after he was imprisoned in Guantanamo he started writing a diary, in English, not his first language but one he learnt through interacting with guards while in prison. The manuscript, considered classified, was sent by Mohamedou to the District of Columbia where it was stamped “SECRET” and locked away. For several years his attorneys attempted to have the manuscript cleared for public release and finally they succeeded albeit with 2,600 redactions (obliterated words) which have been retained in the book. These redactions are mainly names of the individuals who either interrogated, tortured or guarded him, although there is one seven page section which has been completely redacted. The

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manuscript was finally released in 2012 when it was handed to Larry Siems to edit for publication.As the book unfolds we discover why the US thought that they had ‘captured’, (even though he voluntarily drove to his local police station), a ‘big fish’. In the early nineties he had been a member of al-Qaida when they were fighting with the US to drive Russia out of Afghanistan but he left as soon as that goal was achieved. There was also a family connection to al-Qaida, and to people who subsequently became terrorists so it is understandable that he was initially suspected of being one himself. However he denies any involvement and there was never any proof of involvement.In 2010 a federal judge ordered that he be released following a habeas corpus petition asking that he either be charged and tried, or freed. A footnote to the judge’s order stated: ‘The government also argued at first that Slahi was also detainable under the “aided in 9/11” …but it has now abandoned that theory, acknowledging that Slahi probably did not even know about the 9/11 attacks.’ The government appealed the decision and it was overturned.This book would be very depressing were it not for the fact that Mohamedou’s integrity, wit, and humanity shine through. He is obviously very intelligent and many of his interrogators and guards became convinced of his innocence when they got to know him. It would not be surprising if he had become consumed by hatred and bitterness but he has not. His stated purpose in writing the diary was to inform the American public of the reality of Guantanamo. He says: “What would the average American think if he or she could see what his or her government is doing to someone who has done no crimes against anybody?” And later: “What do the American people think? I am eager to know. I would like to believe the majority of Americans want to see Justice done, and they are not interested in financing the detention of innocent people.”He shows great insight into the minds of many of his guards saying that a lot of them, poorly educated, coming from under privileged backgrounds, joined the army because of the opportunities it offers and have been indoctrinated by it to regard all Guantanamo prisoners as dangerous terrorists who deserve to be abused. On the interrogators he writes “…let’s look at it from the interrogator’s perspective. They were literally taught to hate us detainees. ‘These people are the most evil creatures on earth…Do not help the enemy …Keep in mind they are enemies…”The accounts of the abuse he endured are harrowing and not easy to read. His aim was to provide a factual record of his experience: “I’m not going to judge anybody: I’m leaving that part to Allah. I’m just providing the facts as I have seen and experienced them, and I don’t leave anything out to make somebody look good or bad. I understand that nobody is perfect, and everybody does both good and bad things. The only question is, how much of each?”

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Larry Siems, the book’s editor, is a writer and human rights activist. In his thirty-five page introduction he recounts Mohamedou’s history leading up to his imprisonment and after, including extracts from documents released under the Freedom of Information Act. This additional information to the diary is very useful in providing the background for what happened and the legal processes involved.Siems has never met Mohamedou but writes: “…as a reader and as a writer, …what arrested me were the characters and scenes far removed from Guantanamo… A sunset in Nouakchort after a Saharan dust storm. A heartbreaking moment of homesickness during a Ramadan call to prayer…Here is where I first recognised Mohamedou the writer, his sharp eye for character, his remarkable ear for voices, the way his recollections are infused with information recorded by all five senses, the way he accesses the full emotional register in himself and others. He has the qualities I value most in a writer, a moving sense of beauty and a sharp sense of irony. He has a fantastic sense of humour.”

Mohamedou was released on October 16th, 2016, after eleven years in Guantanamo Bay. He has been reunited with his family in Mauritania.

Together we won’t let torturers have the last word

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Please return your completed form to Freedom From Torture, Freepost WD4196, London N7 7BR

A Pause for Thought…

I worked as a Counsellor in the Manchester Centre for 5 years. Every Christmas I remember William, from Uganda; he was a Christian, he and his father were both tortured, his father died in the cell next to him on Christmas Eve. At his final session he said to me "Thank you so much for helping me, sadly your country has made me a poor man, so I have no gift to give you, but I will always remember you in my prayers." I have no faith, but these words will always stay with me, and I light a candle for him every week in Corbridge Church and put a card on the prayer tree for "victims of torture living in exile in the North East".

Annie O'Connor

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This newsletter was edited and designed by Tori Dunford.

Copy date for the next edition is May 2017.

Published by the Freedom from Torture North East Supporters’ Group © 2016

Registered charity number 1000340

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