THEMATIC REPORT 2017 REDRESS AND REPARATIONS The client data in the previous section gives an overview of the context in which incidents of torture occur in the five countries in this report. It also demonstrates that the practice of torture continues despite the existence of antitorture legislation and alternative legal avenues of redress. The following section will present some of the key challenges to seeking redress and reparations identified through the analysis of the data and interviews with the IRCT member centres. Figure 6.1 Number of complaints about torture filed: The Philippines 136 150 122 120 90 60 The proportion of torture victims who file a complaint about torture is low 30 13 0 In the Philippines, a very low proportion of torture victims treated by the two IRCT member centres have filed a complaint about torture (1 percent of Balay’s clients and 17 percent of MAG’s clients). Most of MAG’s clients who did not file a complaint about torture were victims of ‘shaming’ and accused of illegal drug use and trade. Although they were not physically injured, these victims suffered public humiliation when they were rounded up by the Mayor’s Anti-Crime Group, made to wear signs stating them to be drug-users or dealers and paraded through the streets. These victims suffer from psychological symptoms as a result of the public shaming which also places them at risk of becoming victims of extra-judicial killings and causes them continued public humiliation and stigmatisation. MAG considers the psychological suffering to amount to torture or ill-treatment. Many torture cases also go unreported in the Philippines as torture often occurs in rural places where information about these cases does not reach the human rights groups that could offer victims the legal or rehabilitative assistance they need. Often authorities that come into contact with torture victims – for example social workers, public lawyers or prison officials - are not aware of their obligation to report allegations of torture so these cases go unreported and victims are not made aware of their right to seek redress and reparations. In addition, most victims harbour a distrust of the judicial system and do not think any benefit would come out of making a complaint. The fact that many torture victims are also charged with offences related to alleged criminal activities, rebellion, or terrorism creates stigma and discourages sympathy from the public. Complaint filed No complaint filed Not known Figure 6.2 Number of complaints about torture filed: Mexico 50 41 49 34 40 30 20 10 0 Complaint filed No complaint filed Not known Figure 6.3 Number of complaints about torture filed: Kenya In Mexico, 31 percent of CCTI’s clients have made a complaint about torture, compared to 40 percent who 500 414 400 300 200 100 10 3 No complaint filed Not known 0 Complaint filed page 31