National Consultation

National Consultation on Testimony Testimony to improve psychosocial wellbeing and promote advocacy for survivor of torture and organized violence Organizers Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), Varanasi, India & Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims (RCT), Copenhagen, Denmark On 16th-17th April, 2009 At Viswaya Yuvak Kendra, Circular Road, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE (Conference language: English, conference will be video & audio taped)

Day

Time 10:00 – 11:00 11:00 – 12:15 Chair person: Mr. Harsh Mander, Director Aman Biradari and Supreme Court Right to Food Commissioner

Program Registration

Resource Person Inaugural session Dr. Lenin, Convener, PVCHR Welcome (5 minutes) Chief Guests:

Mr. Gautam Navlakha, Consultant Editor –Economic and Political Review Economic and Political Context of Torture and Organized Violence In India (15 minutes)

Thursday, 16 April, 09

Ms. Dorte Bech Vizard, Political and Press Counselor, Royal Danish Embassy,

th

New Delhi Dr. Jan Ole Haagensen, Director International Department, RCT International work of RCT (15 minutes)

Mr. Sanker Sen, Ex- Director General, National Human Rights Commission 12:15 -12:30 12:30 – 1:30 Chair Person: Mr. Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director Peoples’ Watch

Topic ? (15 minutes), Tea Break (Change of hall) First session Mr. Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director Peoples’ Watch (PW): Briefing about the National Project on Preventing Torture in India (20 minutes) Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi Convener, PVCHR & Ms. Shabana Khan, Project Coordinator, PVCHR: Experiences gained after using testimonial therapy (20 minutes)

1:30 – 2:30 2:30 – 3:15 Chair Person: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Head of Department, Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University

Discussion Lunch Second session Dr. Inger Agger, Psychosocial Adviser, Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT), Testimonial therapy (20 minutes) Mr. George Pulikuthiyil, Director Jananeethi, Thrissur, Kerala: Psycho –legal counseling (20 minutes) Discussion

3:15 – 3:45 Chair Person: Dr. Tulsi Das, President Deva International Society for Children Care, Varanasi

Third session Two Survivors (one male and one female) Impact of testimonial therapy in the life of a survivor (in the voices of two survivors) (10 minutes each)

Friday 17th April, 2009

17th April, 09

10:30 -10:45 10:45 – 1:00 Chair person: Mr. Suhas Chakma, Director, Asian Center for Human Rights

Tea First session Panel: Mr. Koshy Mathew, President SICHREM, Mr. Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director People’s Watch, Dr. Lenin, Convener, PVCHR, Mr. Faisal Anurag, Founder, CREJ, Mr. Mantu Ahanthem, Executive Director, Wide Angel Manipur, Mr. Colin Gonsalves founder, Director HRLN, Mr. Tapan Bose Executive Director South Asia Forum on the Human Rights Planning for the creation of an alliance for the use of testimonies in India. Open Session

1:00 – 2:00 2:00 – 2:30 Chair person: Mr. Koshy Mathew, President SICHREM

Lunch Second session Feed Back session: continuation of previous session

2:30 – 3:00

Third session Dr. Lenin, Convener PVCHR Summary and vote of thanks