Sierra Leone
healer who invoked the ancestors in prayers to watch over the event. This was followed by the reading of the IRCT global reading (see p. 18) by CAPS’s director and the UNIPSIL Human Rights Officer in Kailahun and Kono respectively. Then came candlelight and prayer ceremonies commemorating the massive suffering and loss of life due to torture in Sierra Leone, ceremonies that facilitated the grieving process of the community. Testimonies by four CAPS clients sent the message that healing is possible for torture survivors and that rehabilitation professionals are within reach. The testimonies also highlighted the clients’ acknowledgement of the power of counseling. Everyone present reflected upon the terrible suffering of torture survivors and was able to acknowledge the survivors’ pain as well as their strength. This motivated several torture survivors in the hall to speak out, relaying their painful experiences of the past war. In Kono a peace-building artist gave a musical performace that educated the audience on the effects of torture and about CAPS’s work. Prior to 26 June, radio debates and interviews took place live on air at the community radio stations in both Kono and Kailahun, highlighting the importance of 26 June and educating the public about the defini-
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tion of torture; types of torture; how to support victims of torture, and about other international organisations supporting the commemoration, including the IRCT’s member centres, the Copenhagen RCT, the Minneapolis CVT and others. The celebrations were concluded with libation and refreshments.
South Africa The Trauma Centre For Survivors Of Violence And Torture (TCSVT) On 26 June TCSVT hosted the event “Demystify Torture: Acknowledging that it does happen in South Africa and the world at large” in partnership with the Institute for the Healing of Memories. The event was aimed at community members and service providers and sought to raise awareness to label torture as such instead of calling it “assault” and denying that it takes place in South Africa. The event was held in one of the churches that survived the onslaught of the former apartheid government’s demolitions and forced removal of forty thousand families of colour. In her keynote speech Ms Carnita Ernerst from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in Johannesburg discussed