20th Anniversary Events
REDRESS hosted a number of celebratory events to mark its founding by British torture survivor Keith Carmichael 20 years ago. You can find more information about our events below.
Anniversary Films
On 12 December 2012, REDRESS held a film screening featuring two short films produced by Fiona Lloyd-Davies which document the history of REDRESS and its achievements which was followed by a reception at The Tabernacle from 6.30 pm to 9 pm. For further information please contact Eva Sanchis on eva@redress.org or +44 (0)20 7793 1777.
Lecture and Reception with Dame Rosalyn Higgins
As part of REDRESS' 20th Anniversary celebrations, REDRESS hosted a lecture and reception with Dame Rosalyn Higgins, the former President of the International Court of Justice on 13 November. Dame Rosalyn discussed some of REDRESS' main achievements since it began in 1992, and also discussed the progression of justice for torture survivors in international law over the past 20 years.
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Read the transcript from the event
Photo courtesy of the ICJ
Enforcing the Absolute Prohibition Against Torture
As part of the celebrations to mark its 20th Anniversary, REDRESS hosted a lecture by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Méndez at Chatham House on 10 September 2012. You can hear a recording of the lecture and the Question and Answer session by clicking the link below.
20th Anniversary Literary Evening at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill
Our first anniversary event was a Literary Evening and drinks reception on April 24 that brought together prominent authors who have dealt with the themes that drive our work. Channel 4 News International News Editor Lindsey Hilsum chaired the event and several torture survivors also presented readings.The participating authors were Iraqi novelist Haifa Zangana, Argentinean writer Patricio Pron and Sri Lankan author Roma Tearne. Click to find more information about the event.
Find below a list with the authors' latest works:
- Lindsey Hilsum: Sandstorm: Libya in the Time of Revolution, an account of the fall of Colonel Gaddafi
- Roma Tearne: The Road to Urbino
- Haifa Zangana: The Torturer in the Mirror
- Patricio Pron: El espíritu de mis padres sigue subiendo en la lluvia (The Spirit of my Parents Keeps Rising in the Rain)
Read here an interview in openDemocracy with Iraqi writer and torture survivor Haifa Zangana in conversation with our trustee Frances Pinter: Solitude and Dream: Literature Post-9/11
20th Anniversary Special Edition of the International Journal of Human Rights
On 26 June 2012, coinciding with the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, REDRESS was pleased to announce the publication of a special edition of The International Journal of Human Rights on “Torture and the Quest for Justice”, guest edited by our chair Sir Emyr Jones Parry.
The volume addresses reparation for torture in international law, its prohibition through national legislation and the role of the International Criminal Court. Sir Nigel Rodley, a current member of the UN Human Rights Committee and UN Special Rapporteur on Torture from 1993-2001, contributed reflections on “Securing redress and overcoming impunity.” Professor Theo van Boven, who also contributes reflections in the volume, was responsible for drafting the Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2005. “Torture and the Quest For Justice” also includes important analysis from REDRESS director Carla Ferstman, current staff members Sarah Fulton and Lutz Oette, and former staff Gabriela Echeverria and Lorna McGregor. Professor Bill Bowring, a REDRESS trustee, provides an account of international litigation for reparation to torture survivors, from his reflections on practice at the European Court in Strasbourg.
Paper copies of the journal, Volume 16, No. 5, June 2012, may be obtained directly from the publisher. The International Journal of Human Rights is online here.