The Voice of America today picked up on a recent IHF press release on the persistent use of torture in Ukraine. This was the first press release I wrote for the IHF. It's cool to see it quoted by an American news agency!
Working for the IHF has given me much better insight on how NGOs are able to raise awareness of human rights abuses. Because of its role as a coordinating agency, the IHF works with Helsinki Committees in 46 states. This inter-agency structure connects our coordinating office to human rights defenders close to the action, who are able to provide timely insights. Our release detailed a recent attack on prisoners by masked guards, which was information we received directly from the Ukrainian Helsinki Committee. Integration, it seems, is key to getting and disseminating timely human rights information.
Ideally, more news agencies would highlight Ukraine's need for penal reforms to stop the use of torture in police interrogation and detention. Then, perhaps the Ukrainian government would follow suit with clearer legislative provisions protecting the victims of torture. It's a step by step process, but the international system does provide paths for progress.
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