City Issues Proclamation for United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Philadelphia – Today, Mayor Jim Kenney and Miriam Enriquez, Office of Immigrant Affairs Director, release the following statement in support of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture:
“Our current times call for increased compassion and respect for our neighbors across the world. In Philadelphia, we will continue to honor our shared human experience and denounce inhumane practices of torture and the withholding of human rights. We’re proud to stand with the U.N. today, as well as the Philadelphia Partnership for Resilience, in lending our support and voice to this cause.”
The City further commemorates this occasion by issuing a mayoral proclamation. Text of the proclamation is as follows:
Mayoral Proclamation for International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Philadelphia is a welcoming city founded on the principles of peace, equality and a commitment to ‘brotherly love.’ The rise of anti-immigrant sentiment in our nation and the record numbers of people fleeing their homes worldwide call upon us to reaffirm our commitment to welcoming newcomers to our region. Among these immigrants and refugees are included many who have survived incredible adversity including torture as part of their perilous journey.
Today on this United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture recognized in countries around the world, the City of Philadelphia recognizes the important contributions of the Philadelphia Partnership for Resilience. The Philadelphia Partnership for Resilience (PPR) works with survivors of torture and their families in the greater Philadelphia region to rebuild their lives and heal from the physical and psychological wounds from torture. PPR is a partnership between Nationalities Service Center, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society Pennsylvania (HIAS PA) and BuildaBridge International. The program helps meet the multifaceted needs of survivors in our region providing case management, legal services and healing opportunities. PPR is the only program specifically for survivors of torture in Pennsylvania.
Torture is a deliberate and systematic dismantling of a person’s identity and humanity through physical or psychological pain and suffering. Survivors report being subjected to severe beatings, rape, deprivation, humiliation, threats, sensory stress, kidnapping, forced postures, asphyxiation, burning, and witness to murder and torture of family members. Over a decade ago, Congress passed the first Torture Victims Relief Act (PL 105–320—OCT. 30, 1998) with strong bipartisan support, authorizing funding to support programs domestically and overseas that carry out projects or activities specifically designed to treat survivors for the physical and psychological effects of torture. Philadelphia is proud to be home to one of the leading programs in this area, the Philadelphia Partnership for Resilience.
This day provides an opportunity to recognize the dignity and humanity of every individual and to recognize the impacts of torture on the estimated 3,000 survivors living in our region.
Therefore…
I, James F. Kenney, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, do hereby proclaim June 26, 2017 to be UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture in the City of Philadelphia and commend the work of the Philadelphia Partnership for Resilience.
During the month of June, the City and OIA have been commemorating Immigrant Heritage Month. Visit HERE for more information.