Our History

The Kirkuk Center for Torture Victims was established in 2005 with support from the Berlin Center for Torture Victims, a leading European institution caring for survivors of torture, persecution and genocide. At the time, the Kirkuk Center was the first rehabilitation center for survivors of torture in Iraq. Since then, our team of health professionals and human rights advocates has been able to assist thousands of traumatized men, women and children.

Our Work

The Kirkuk Center for Torture Victims

provides free medical, psychological and social assistance to those who have experienced torture and similar human rights abuses
promotes the physical rehabilitation, mental well-being and social reintegration of victims and their family members
offers psychotherapeutic care for the children and relatives of those who have died as a result of torture, arbitrary executions, massacres, ethnic cleansing or genocide
protects children and women living in survivor families from aggression, domestic violence, intergenerational conflict and secondary traumatization
trains local helpers, psychotherapists and health professionals who are interested in rehabilitating traumatized victims
educates the public and key decision-makers in Iraq about the suffering of torture victims, their specific needs, and their right to obtain rehabilitation and redress
seeks to foster a climate of tolerance, understanding and respect for human rights in Iraq.

Additional Information

Testimonial

"This center is more than just a treatment center. It is a hospital, a school, a private clinic, and a social counseling office for our clients. They trust us and believe that we can help them and change their situation for the better. Our women patients tell us many hidden subjects and secrets, describe their pains and problems and sometimes they speak to us about their dreams. They are lost between past suffering and present struggle. And although they pay attention to all members of their family nobody listens to or cares about them. Sometimes they want to change their past life and forget all those bad memories, but that is impossible. Then we try to make plans and suggest how to change their view on the past and how to improve their current situation. They need us and every day we try to help those lonely women in our center.“

Staff of the department for women in Erbil

All human beings, whatever their cultural or historical background, suffer when they are intimidated, imprisoned or tortured. It is the inherent nature of all human beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity, and they have an equal right to achieve that.

The Dalai Lama (1935-), Spiritual Leader