Welcome

The Berlin Center for Torture Victims (bzfo) was founded in 1992 with support from the German Red Cross. The bzfo is a non-profit association committed to the rehabilitation of torture victims.

Victims of torture

The United Nation Convention outlaws torture as a means of state violence. Amnesty International has documented torture in more than 100 countries. Torture is applied worldwide and is increasingly refined by specialists which makes evidence of torture more and more difficult. Torture has always been applied to extort confessions even though it has been common knowledge for a long time that torture is not a method to get to the truth. Instead, torture aims to disorient and ultimately destroy the victims personality by breaking their dignity. The bzfo treats children, adolescents, adults and their families from almost 50 countries as well as victims of the former East German secret service.

Why treat victims of torture?

The rehabilitation of torture victims supports them to feel their dignity again and to lead a life which is largely free of the physical and psychological after-affects caused by the torture experience. At the same time it is always a form of resistance against the torturers and their regimes.

What are the effects of torture?

Torture and war experiences often lead to loss of dignity and social bonds as well as loss of orientation. Added are psychological problems and a rage directed toward oneself. Many torture victims also contemplate suicide. Others turn the violence they experienced outward: they are in danger to become criminal or violent. Therapeutic work can counteract this and helps to break the chain of violence.

Additional Information

NEWS

Torture in Iran since 2009 elections

The organisation Freedom from Torture documents in its latest report 50 cases of torture since the presidential election of 2009 in Iran. It reveals how brutal Iranian authorities have proceeded against supporters of the Green Revolution before and after the elections. The bzfo treated 74 Iranians in 2012, accordingly the third largest group of patients.
The report of Freedom from Torture can be found here...

Rehabilitation works

...and is a torture survivor´s right

With this campaign for the International Day in support of Victims of Torture, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) and its members stress the right of survivors of torture and war violence for medical and psychotherapeutic help. Since 20 years, the bzfo has been involved with the IRCT and is actively working for the rehabilitation of torture survivors.
Find out more about the offers at bzfo...

ATLAS OF TORTURE

Use of Medical and Diagnostic Examination Results in Medical Assessment of Torture

The first medical illustrated atlas about torture, a publication of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, is now available in English. Find out more here…

Concluding Observations following the Parallel Report Complementing the 5th Periodic Report of the Federal German Government (CAT/C/DEU/5)

Together with the German section of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), Refugio München (Counseling and Treatment Center for Refugees and Victims of Torture, Munich) and Jesuiten-Flüchtlingsdienst Deutschland (Jesuit Refugee Service Germany, JRS)) the bzfo wrote the Parallel Report Complementing the 5th Periodic Report of the Federal German Government (CAT/C/DEU/5) in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). On November 3rd, the organizations met UN-Representatives in Geneva to present the report. Now the Committee against Torture has published its Concluding Observations.

Here, you can download:

Parallel Report Complementing the 5th Periodic Report of the Federal German Government (CAT/C/DEU/5)

Concluding Observation (CAT/C/DEU/CO/5)

The right to access international protection

In its position paper from Novembrer 2011 the EU Office of the Red Cross calls on EU countries and EU agencies to respect the the right to access international protection. The Red Cross underlines that especially people fleeing prosecution and human rights violations often face extreme difficulties in reaching a safe country where they can apply for international protection. Read more...

The London Declaration on Poverty and Torture

At their recent annual meeting, Council Members of the IRCT, recognizing that torture is both a cause and effect of poverty, issued a declaration calling on all States to end the cycle. You can read the full declaration here:
The London Declaration on Poverty and Torture.

The bzfo is a member of the IRCT and represented by council member Dr. Mechthild Wenk-Ansohn, director of our department for adults.

IRCT welcomes UN torture resolution

March 2011: On Friday 25th March, the UN Human Rights Council adopted its annual resolution on torture and ill-treatment. The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) welcomes the resolution and calls on all States to abide by it. Read more...

The Berlin Center for the Treatment of Torture Victims is member of the IRCT. Ms Mechthild Wenk-Ansohn, Director of the Out-Patient Service of bzfo, engages in the IRCT Council since 2009.

Music as a Natural Resource

Nov. 2010: Using music therapy to reduce post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among children, adolescents and adults in the treatment of torture victims is now part of the UN Compendium on "Music as a Natural Resource." The Compendium intends to promote new thinking and provides practical applications for the use of music and ICT as tools for sustainable community development and health. Music therapy at bzfo is supported by "Musik hilft" Foundation.
Here you can download the UN-Compendium as pdf-file (1,9 MB).

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