NATIONAL REPORT 2016 The right to rehabilitation The Penal Code contains some provisions for reparations to victims of judicial error, but there is no specific mention of victims of torture. The Penal Code further includes victims of torture into the provisions for the rehabilitation of the innocent and convicted by a miscarriage of justice. However, these do not specifically focus on the needs of torture victims and are generally not implemented. A reparations programme, including compensation and rehabilitation, has been created for victims from torture during the dictatorships. However, recognition of victims has been very restrictive, reparations provided have been limited to financial compensations and very little of this has actually been paid out. ITEI is the only institution specialised in providing holistic rehabilitation services, primarily psychological and medical rehabilitation. For victims of more recent abuse, there are no programmes or services provided by the government and there are no initiatives to train the relevant professional groups in how to deliver adequate services to torture victims. This increases victims’ mistrust in the Government, which discourages them from seeking support. ITEI is the only institution specialised in providing holistic rehabilitation services, primarily psychological and medical rehabilitation. For example, the victims in the Guarani communities in Alto Parapetin 2008 mentioned above received no rehabilitation support from the State. ITEI worked in the Guarani communities rehabilitating the victims for three years. After the massacre against peasants in the Department of Pando in September 2008, the government provided early medical interventions by transporting people to La Paz to protect them from more violence, but there was no effort to investigate the crimes. Again, it was ITEI who went to the affected communities to engage in rehabilitation work. ITEI has one office in La Paz consisting of one physician and three psychologists. Due to capacity issues, the services provided by ITEI are insufficient to meet the large demand and all the needs of torture victims across the country. While ITEI’s office in Cochabamba closed in 2015 due to funding constraints, ITEI still seek to intervene in other cities and regions affected by torture, including El Alto, Chuquisaca departments, Pando, Oruro, in the region of Alto Parapetí (department of Santa Cruz). ITEI receives funding from the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, the OAK Foundation, the La Luz Fund and the European Association of Sustain ITEI (AESITEI). There are no public figures on the numbers of psychologists and psychiatrists in the country but in most mental health professionals are based in the cities where there are universities. In the countryside and rural areas of Departments of Chuquisaca, Pando and Santa Cruz, where ITEI works with victims there are no mental health professionals. ITEI has provided a programme of adult education on mental health in two of these regions with a particular emphasis on the issue of confidentiality. In Pando, nurses at the public hospitals and health centres joined the education. ITEI takes strong precaution and preventative measures to ensure the confidentiality, safety and security of the ITEI’s clients and their families. Access to ITEI’s services depends on the circumstances of the individual person, their family or community. In some cases, ITEI is able to provide financial support in order for the victim to reach the services. The time it takes for victims to access ITEI’s services also depends on where they live or where the torture and ill-treatment took place. For victims in or near La Paz, ITEI is able to intervene promptly but for victims beyond it largely depends on capacity and available funding. page 10