Rehabilitation centre for torture victims opens in Bishkek
NAN-F-46
Rehabilitation
Bishkek, May 16, 2017 (Xinhua/NAN) A rehabilitation centre for torture victims has opened in Bishkek, the press service of the National Coalition Against Torture in Kyrgyzstan said on Tuesday in a report.
Head of the centre, Tynchtykbek Asanov, said that torture victims would now receive medical, psychological, social and legal assistance at the centre.
“Both citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic as well as foreigners who have suffered from torture and ill-treatment are eligible to receive services at the centre,’’ he said.
Since 2007, a rehabilitation programme of the Voice of Liberty Public Foundation, with the support of the UN Voluntary Fund and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims was established in Kyrgyzstan.
The centres have been providing assistance to victims of torture in the republic since then.
Medical, psychological and social assistance has been provided to about 500 victims.
“Now this programme has evolved into a centre with six specialists: a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a sociologist, a psychotherapist, a therapist and a case manager.
“The center was created with the support of Voice of Liberty and the Central Asian Alliance Against Dependence.
“The center is reportedly the only centre in Central Asia that provides assistance to victims of torture,’’ said the report.
Sardar Bagishbekov, Head of Voice of Liberty, said that a similar rehabilitation center is planned in the south of the country. (Xinhua/NAN)
OYE/AMY
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Damilola-Celine Oyewole/Abdullahi Yusuf