Summary
REDRESS runs a casework programme where we assist individuals and groups of torture survivors. More often than not these survivors are resident in the UK where they may be seeking or have been granted leave to remain as asylum seekers or refugees or on some other basis, or they may even be UK nationals. Sometimes, however, we can also assist torture survivors living abroad, although in such cases we would usually also need to work closely with local lawyers and/or human rights organisations.

Every torture survivor has specific needs depending on the individual’s circumstances, and at all times we work with survivors and/or their families in ways appropriate for the persons concerned. Owing to limited resources and other practical considerations we cannot take up every case which comes to us, but even then we will always try to offer practical advice. We do not charge for any of our services.

In general terms we provide legal advice for torture survivors in gaining both access to the courts and redress for their suffering before national and international courts, including locating evidence. Where necessary we co-operate with partners in the UK and in different parts of the world where torture is endemic. This includes providing specialised expertise on points of law to lawyers and national and/or international courts. Where it is not feasible to proceed through the courts we try to help in other ways, for example, by putting survivors in touch with appropriate medical and psychological professionals and other specialised primary caregivers, or making representations to international, regional and domestic bodies including human rights institutions, and/or to governments and members of parliament. We can also participate in bringing perpetrators to justice through universal jurisdiction mechanisms where the alleged torturer is outside his or her home state.

Some examples of our work with clients in recent years: