THEMATIC REPORT 2017 The context and location of torture REDRESS AND REPARATIONS Figure 1.1 Gender of torture victims: The Philippines The majority of torture victims treated by the IRCT member centres in the Philippines, Serbia, Mexico, Kenya and Uganda are male and either have a low income or are unemployed with no income. Centres from four of these countries (the Philippines, Mexico, Kenya and Uganda) have data indicating that the majority of their clients are tortured in the context of police and security forces operations or military operations. In the Philippines, many of Balay’s clients come from the southern areas of the country, where the government’s anti-terrorism campaign against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has resulted in the torture and ill-treatment of Muslims by security forces and law enforcers. Since 23 May 2017 there has also been an armed conflict in the city of Marawi between government security forces and militants of jihadist groups. Around 200,000 civilians have fled the city and the government has declared martial law in the region.1 In addition, many of MAG’s clients have been tortured in secret detention facilities where police officers torture detainees for entertainment. A large roulette wheel was found with different forms of torture written on it, showing the casual attitude that police officers have towards torture.2 19 7% 93% 252 Male 93% Female 7% Figure 1.2 Gender of torture victims: Serbia 11 16% The data recorded by Balay and MAG indicates that torture is most commonly perpetrated on their clients in police stations, prisons, military camps or facilities and ‘on the road’, i.e. between the point of arrest and detention. Common methods of torture used are beating (blunt trauma), poor detention conditions, 84% 59 Male 84% Female 16% page 11