IRCT REGIONAL REPORT 2016 Germany In 2015, Germany received the largest number of refugees in the EU, with nearly half a million asylum applications. German authorities have struggled to respond to the scale of the influx and the biggest problems for torture victims have been healthcare and reception facilities. IRCT torture rehabilitation member centres from Berlin and Bochum informed this research, offering insight into problems in different federal regions (Bundesländer) of Germany. Refugee family from Afghanistan in the initial reception center for refugees in Riem, Munich © Jazzmany ABOUT THE MEMBER CENTRES Berlin Center for the Treatment of Torture Victims (bzfo) Medical Care Service for Refugees Bochum (MFH Bochum) Bzfo has been rehabilitating victims of torture and violent conflict from over 40 countries since 1992. People fleeing from torture and persecution from Chechnya, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Eritrea and the Balkans have sought help over the years. Bzfo’s multidisciplinary team is specialised in medicine, psychotherapy, psychology, physiotherapy, social work and creative therapies. Together with trained interpreters bzfo treats 400 patients a year. Bzfo raises awareness through publications both for the general public and decision-makers, through participation in workshops and conferences, by networking with national as well as international organisations and bodies as well as public relation work. Its international activities focus on the establishment of treatment centres in persecutory states and crisis areas of torture as well as national and international advocacy to promote the right to rehabilitation. MFH Bochum is an independent human rights organisation, which since its foundation in 1997 has provided medical and psychosocial care for victims of torture and ill-treatment in Germany. This work requires a multidisciplinary approach ranging from clinical medicine and psychotherapy to social work, legal assistance and the promotion of human rights. This holistic methodology allows MFH Bochum to support torture victims according to their individual needs. Through international advocacy, MFH Bochum promotes the concept of “justice heals” for its clients to engage in the global fight against torture by combatting impunity. page 21