Welcome to the December 2024 issue of CVT World, CVT’s periodic compilation of the latest news, stories and public activities from our team.

December 10 was Human Rights Day, and this year we also recognized the 40^th anniversary of the UN Convention against Torture that day. CVT had so much material published that we sent out this special issue of our CVT World newsletter. Please take a moment to check it out!

A Virtual Event on Guantánamo with the Serial Podcast Team

CVT will host a special livestream event January 9, 2025, with an exclusive look at the in-depth reporting on Guantánamo by the producers of the Serial Podcast. Dana Chivvis and Jessica Weisberg will speak with CVT experts on the past, present and future of the notorious U.S. detention facility. Register for the livestream here.

CVT Ethiopia Launches a New Project: Debre Birhan and Mekelle

The CVT Ethiopia team held launch events in two locations where they have opened new centers in Mekelle, Tigray, and Debre Birhan, Amhara. The team noted this launch marks not only an expansion of services but a continuing commitment to healing and resilience. The event featured partners and leadership, celebrating this new step for supporting communities affected by conflict and trauma.

CVT Applauds Transfer of Several Detainees out of Guantánamo

As three men were transferred out of the Guantánamo detention facility, CVT issued this statement applauding the Biden administration’s action and calling for additional transfers and closure of Guantánamo. “Torture was at the core of the founding of Guantánamo,” said Yumna Rizvi, senior policy analyst. “Today the U.S. has taken important action in its efforts to move out from under torture’s dark and far-reaching shadow.”

History of Torture in Syria as the Assad Regime Falls

Dr. Simon Adams, president & CEO, spoke to John Rash at the Minnesota Star Tribune about the history of torture by the Assad regime in Syria and its recent fall from power, in this article titled “Syrians Emerge from an Arab Spring Turned Nightmarish Winter.” “There’s lots of states that use torture, but the Assad regime did it on an industrial scale,” Simon said, stating that Assad was “a world leader in institutional cruelty and widespread and systematic use of torture.”

There’s lots of states that use torture, but the Assad regime did it on an industrial scale.”

Dr. Simon Adams, CVT president & CEO

A Joint Statement in Support of Syria

As the Assad regime fell in Syria, CVT joined partners who also extend care and support to Syrians in this joint statement titled, “Syria: The Promise of Healing and Justice and the Need for Urgent Support.” A survivor of the notorious Sednaya prison in Syria is quoted in the statement, saying “We want truth and justice so that the souls of all those killed may rest in peace, their memory may be immortalised, and to ensure that there is no recurrence.” The statement was led by Int’l Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), along with our close partners at the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), who received CVT’s Eclipse award in 2022. Additional partners include the Global Survivors Fund and Synergy for Justice.

We want truth and justice so that the souls of all those killed may rest in peace, their memory may be immortalised, and to ensure that there is no recurrence.”

Survivor of Sednaya prison, Syria

A Special Thank You to our Volunteers

Léocadia Tchouaffé, volunteer coordinator, hosted an event this week to celebrate CVT’s volunteers and thank them for all they do. She shared an update on everything they have accomplished together since Léocadia joined CVT last summer and restarted the volunteer program. Simon Adams also shared a message of thanks and appreciation to our volunteers.

Mindfulness as an Aid to Chronic Pain: Noticing Sensation

“We’re noticing the discomfort and the tension and giving it some attention, and then noticing how it changes in real time,” said Diane Long, CVT massage therapist, commenting on how clients begin to put words to how their bodies feel as they participate in the Trauma-Informed and Culturally-Responsive (TCI) Massage Therapy project in St. Paul. This new article explains the positive impacts survivors gain from massage and pain education.

Psychological Care, Transitional Justice Work and Leadership at CVT Uganda

This article features the work of Gabriele Marini, field representative for CVT Uganda. Gabriele has been with CVT Uganda since 2010 and is leading the expansion to include transitional justice work along with the healing care that has long been extended to survivors of the LRA war. He commented, “An organization that fights for justice wants the message of the survivors to be impactful so we can have an impact in the society.”

Commentary on Rise in Global Revenue from Arms Sales and Military Services

Simon Adams is quoted in this article from Inter Press Service, titled “Who are the Ultimate Winners in the World’s Ongoing Military Conflicts?” Reporter Thalif Deen writes about a new report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute which showed revenues in arms and military services rose to $632 billion in 2023. Simon comments, “Wherever we see civilian suffering, bombed buildings, death and destruction in the world, there is some arms trader who sees a fresh business opportunity and increased profit margins.”

Wherever we see civilian suffering, bombed buildings, death and destruction in the world, there is some arms trader who sees a fresh business opportunity and increased profit margins.”

Dr. Simon Adams, president & CEO

The Latest from the New Tactics Team

The New Tactics team posted a new episode of the Human Rights Chat podcast covering the work of All Square, a Minnesota nonprofit working to change the criminal legal system. Grace McDonough, New Tactics intern, discusses their innovative approaches to addressing the harms caused by the system. Listen here.

Chantal Pangula, New Tactics intern, wrote this article with tips for staying current on the human rights issues you care about while also taking care of your own wellbeing. She writes, “Staying informed is important, but not at the cost of my well-being. By curating news sources, using social media wisely, joining online communities, and practicing self-care, I’ve found a way to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.”

News Commentary on Asylum Medicine Clinic at CVT’s St. Paul Healing Center

Our partner, Dr. Nathan Bertelsen with the University of Minnesota, spoke to Nina Moini on MPR’s Minnesota Now program today, discussing the new Asylum Medicine Clinic recently opened at CVT’s St. Paul Healing Center. Dr. Bertelsen noted that asylum seekers in Minnesota can now receive free forensic medical and mental health evaluations at the clinic and spoke about the process and the trauma-informed approaches CVT and our partners take for these evaluations. He mentioned the importance of keeping things positive for each client who comes in: “We start before the client event walks in the door to make it a positive, warm environment.”

Provider of the Year Award from NAMI Minnesota

CVT was awarded Provider of the Year by NAMI Minnesota, and the awards event was covered here by Access Press. Sara Nelson, St. Paul Healing Center program manager, accepted the award and is pictured in the article. NAMI Minnesota’s executive director, Sue Abderholden, commented about CVT: “Their holistic approach to healing encompasses physical and psychological care, social services, and community engagement, empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and overcome the trauma they have endured.”

“How Much (or How Little) Does the Biden Administration Want Justice in the 9/11 Case?”

Scott Roehm, director of global policy and advocacy, co-authored with Ian Moss, special counsel at Jenner & Block, this op ed about the plea agreement for Guantánamo detainees accused in the 9/11 attacks. They write how after Secretary Austin’s revocation of the agreement that would have brought some closure for families of 9/11 victims, there has been disagreement back-and-forth, but the Biden administration now has an opportunity to bring a measure of justice. The authors write, “Should they fail to do so, many 9/11 victim family members will continue to pay what has been an increasingly devastating price.”

The Quilt of Resilience: An Afghan Human Rights Defender’s Journey

In this article, guest author Mohammad Alias Hassany, human rights defender and IDREAM project participant, writes about his flight from Afghanistan and how he began to rebuild his resilience. “Leaving Afghanistan was heart-wrenching. The country we had worked so hard to build crumbled before our eyes,” he writes. He notes, “Yet, in the midst of this turmoil, I witnessed something extraordinary. Human rights defenders, despite their suffering, began to connect.”

Yet, in the midst of this turmoil, I witnessed something extraordinary. Human rights defenders, despite their suffering, began to connect.”

Mohammad Alias Hassany, human rights defender and IDREAM project participant

Working in Coalition with Partners

Working with partners brings strength to CVT’s policy advocacy. In recent weeks, we participated in numerous actions that support survivors of torture. Below are some of these coalition and partner actions.

• CVT endorsed the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act, which was issued by Senator Peter Welch, along with Senators Sanders, Van Hollen, Klobuchar and Hirono. CVT also endorsed the House version in September. The legislations calls for immediate restoration of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and continuing funds through Fiscal Year 2025. Senator Welch writes, “As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, support for humanitarian aid is more important than ever. Congress must pass this legislation to ensure UNRWA can safely deliver humanitarian assistance to starving women, children, and families desperate for food, medicine, and shelter.”
• CVT joined more than 100 organizations in signing this letter, organized by The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights to express serious concerns to Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries about H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. As written, H.R. 9495 includes H.R. 6408, legislation that gives broad discretion to the treasury secretary to “designate a U.S. nonprofit as a ‘terrorist supporting organization’ and to strip it of its tax-exempt status if the Secretary finds that the nonprofit has provided material support to a terrorist group.” The authors write that this could be used by the executive branch to “target its political opponents and use the fear of crippling legal fees, the stigma of the designation, and donors fleeing controversy to stifle dissent and chill speech and advocacy.”
• CVT joined 193 organizations in this letter to President Biden urging him to act in his last days in office on these actions: Close Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers, stop expansion of ICE detention, release people from immigration detention. The authors write, “Now is the time to take decisive action to prevent catastrophe for millions of people and avoid handing the keys to an expanded and inhumane detention and deportation system to the next president.”
• CVT joined coalition partners in urging Secretary Austin to issue condolence payments for civilians harmed in U.S. military operations, as covered in this article in the Washington Post.