enhance the quality of legal cases against torture perpetrators and has often been the cornerstone of a successful case, where justice is achieved and torture victims receive reparations. For the last decade, the IRCT has been a global leader on investigation and documentation of torture according to the IP and has shared its expertise worldwide with its partners and centres. Prior to the Great Lakes Project, many legal and health practitioners in the region were unfamiliar with the IP and had never received training on it, despite the international recognition of the IP as a key instrument in investigating torture. To address this gap, the Great Lakes Project ran a series of trainings on the IP in Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC. These trainings targeted lawyers, medical doctors and psychologists. Sixty professionals were trained in total. “I also participated in the IRCT’s training in the use of the Istanbul Protocol in medico-legal documentation of torture. After this training, our methodology changed and we started writing more detailed reports that also include psychological evidence. On several occasions we shared this new knowledge with doctors who work in provincial hospitals. We are now approached by lawyers, prosecutors and judicial police officers to assist them in providing evidence for torture cases. Our cooperation with SAP-GL and the IRCT greatly improved our way of working and our reputation.” Dr. Ernest Kilunga, Head surgeon and gynaecologist, Rushubi Hospital, Burundi 22 IRCT Great Lakes Project In addition to the trainings, high-level conferences were organised in Bujumbura and Kigali on the importance of medico-legal documentation attended by over 100 participants, including policy-makers, police and detention officials, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, officials from ministries and various national institutions, local authorities and local human rights organisations. “I really thank ARAMA for their support during this hard time. They hired a lawyer for our family, accompanied me in court, paid all transport, court fees and hospital bills. They are part of my family now”. As a result, centres now have a better understanding of the needs of torture victims and can better investigate and document all evidences of torture, including physical and psychological evidence. Centres are also able to produce high quality medical legal reports, which greatly strengthens their legal cases. With the enhancement of these capacities, the centres have increased their profile in communities and have achieved greater credibility as human rights advocates. In Rwanda, as a result of the support provided by the Great Lakes Project, ARAMA successfully lobbied the police, prosecutor, hospital and high court officials to re-open a closed rape case involving a 14-year-old girl. The girl was raped by her neighbour, who threatened to kill her if she told anyone. Her parents reported the incident to the local authorities and the suspect was arrested, but was later released and fled his home. ARAMA staff learned of the case and hired a law firm to assist as a civil party. The suspect was re-arrested by the police and tried, but denied the crime and won the case in primary court. ARAMA eventually proved that the defence used by the perpetrator contained falsified medical documentation and the defendant was sentenced to two years in prison. This case also provided the perfect example of how the centres support secondary victims during legal proceedings. The victim’s family were involved in every step of the process and her mother in particular received support as she was traumatised by the incident. She received psychological support and got involved in income generating activities. The entire family were kept informed on a regular basis by the centre’s legal officer and their transport, accommodation and even food costs were covered. When they won the case it was not only a celebration for the family, but also for the entire community, creating stronger bonds and helping them to heal together. Advocacy and awareness raising The Project also supported several advocacy and awareness raising activities, bringing together legislators, legal and health professionals, as well as communities to discuss the responsibility of K.N., Mother of the victim state-actors. By connecting those who play a role in ensuring that victims can claim their rights and obtain justice, progress can be much faster and more effective. These events also addressed the need for courts to better understand the needs and vulnerabilities of torture and the fact that supporting victims during legal proceedings requires effective co-ordination between various actors to ensure that victims are not re-traumatised, and that the case is conducted in the most effective way to achieve justice. “On 5 February 2013, the mining to authorities in Kamituga decided and Me tax. gal introduce a new ille s vist acti two other human rights a informed the locals and prepared petition that we presented to the local administrative authorities after a march organised on 6 February. sted, As we presented it, we were arre we tied up and flogged. Afterwards on pris the to were forced to walk and in the burning sun, wounded than half naked, a distance of more one kilometre. The psychosocial assistants from the REMAK centre our visited us in prison and treated put wounds. Late that night we were e in a small truck and not told wher the at ved arri we were going. We ly central prison of Bukavu. My fami contacted REMAK to provide me with hs, legal support. After three mont K, REMA of ort supp and thanks to the ur favo our a judgement was given in I on. and we were released from pris g free cannot describe the joy of bein ly.” fami my with again and reunited G.S., 27 years old, Wamuzimu, Kamituga, South Kivu, the DRC As a result of these events, key actors in the legal system, such as national human rights commissions, prosecutors, police commanders and torture rehabilitation centres now co-operate in a far more effective manner when addressing instances of torture. This ultimately leads to better access to justice for victims. In Burundi for example, an awarenessraising event on medico-legal documentation for legal professionals connected SAP-GL with the prosecutor of the Bujumbura Rural Province. As a result, the prosecutor frequently contacts SAP-GL to provide medico-legal documentation of cases. IRCT Great Lakes Project 23