1 - "Nebras" Institute broadens the scope of rehabilitation for torture victims in Tunisia in cooperation with its partners:

Rehabilitation has always been the main reason of the creation of the Tunisian Institute of Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors "Nebras". This service is provided directly to survivors of torture.

On the basis of what NEBRAS Institute has offered in terms of rehabilitation services, the International Committee Against Torture - CAT has described it in its recommendations on the prevention of torture as the first Tunisian initiative for rehabilitation of torture victims, which makes the right to rehabilitation an imperative need.

Since its inauguration in July 2014, "Nebras" has been able to assert the important role it plays not only with regard to the rehabilitation of torture survivors so that they enjoy their rights to health, safety and dignity, but also through its efforts to prevent torture and all forms of degrading treatment.

Nebras Institute provides an appropriate framework and space for the rehabilitation of Tunisian victims, owing mainly to the skills of experienced psychiatrists and psychologists who have received specialized training in the field of rehabilitation and treatment of torture victims, in addition to physiotherapists, health professionals, and other relevant collaborators. All these competencies have contributed to ensure the Institute's success in rehabilitating torture survivors, as part of a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Health.

The identification of victims of torture is done directly by psychiatrists and specialists working with Nebras Institute as well as by human rights associations and partners, like the Danish Institute Against Torture "DIGNITY", a strategic partner of "Nebras". The process of victim identification has evolved with the participation of other civil society actors in the field of human rights like the Truth and Dignity Commission, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nebras Institute on 26 April 2018. The identification is also done through the direct contact of victims of torture with Nebras Centre.

During 2017, the number of beneficiaries from Nebras Institute services reached 127 Tunisian victims, who benefited from psychological treatment, integration and medical care.

Nebras Institute offers mainly psychological care, physiotherapy and medical diagnostics, orienting the users of its services to doctors experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of the effects of torture while using physiotherapists’ techniques for massage and relaxation.

The Institute also provides social guidance and support for the social reintegration of torture survivors, in cooperation with social development centres under a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs signed on 23 June 2016.

Nebras Institute is an associative rehabilitation organisation, owing its success to its efforts and activities to achieve the goal of being the first institute in Tunisia in the field of rehabilitation, leading to a cooperation with many stakeholders like civil society actors, governmental and non-governmental bodies as well as all parties concerned with the issue of torture and rehabilitation.

However, rehabilitation requires more effort at the level of State intervention and relevant institutions such as the Ministries of Health, Social Affairs, and Justice by applying the conventions, adapting the legislation, and more significantly by deploying all the efforts to ensure the success of the process of rehabilitation and reintegration of all survivors of torture in Tunisia.

2 - The action of "Nebras" at the regional level for the rehabilitation of victims of torture in Libya:

Four years of experience and work in the field of rehabilitation have acknowledged the important role played by the Tunisian Institute of Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors "Nebras".

This assertion has translated into a pilot project in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Support of Libya, through which "Nebras" is requested to provide psychological care to Libyan victims of torture.

The idea of this pioneering project stemmed from several factors related to the geographical, social and psychological proximity between Tunisia and Libya, which facilitates communication and understanding in terms of rehabilitation. Similarly, the repercussions of torture and trauma, in their global dimension, are identical, even if the conditions of torture differ from one country to another. Regardless of nationality, it is the human element that counts in the rehabilitation process.

Nebras Institute collaborates with the United Nations Office for the Support of Libya and the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, which is a key partner in the identification of victims. The association role is to coordinate between the Institute and the Libyan beneficiaries by providing logistical support, such as accommodation and transport in Tunisia. The role of "Nebras" is to provide medical and psychological care, referral services to competent institutions, and present diagnoses of cases by determining the appropriate treatment for the effects of torture.

The number of Libyans who benefited from the services of the Rehabilitation Institute of Tunis (Nebras) reached 9 victims who were oriented by the United Nations Office for the Support of Libya between January and April 2018.

3 - Nebras Institute offers biopsychological treatment for Migrants victims of trauma, torture and human trafficking

As part of expanding its activities, varying the experiences and reaching different social groups, the Tunisian Institute of Rehabilitation "Nebras" included the category of migrants as beneficiaries.

This idea stemmed from a pilot project carried out in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to take care of migrant victims of torture and human trafficking.

The participation of the Tunisian Rehabilitation Institute "Nebras" in this project consists mainly in psychological assistance by listening to victims, and offering support and psychological care.

It should be noted that a cooperation agreement was signed between Nebrass and the International Organization of Migrants to develop a comprehensive framework for the implementation of this project.

4 - Nebras Institute strengthens the capacity of organizations specialized in supporting women victims of violence in the regions:

Since 2017 and as part of a joint project with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Tunisian Institute of Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors "Nebras" has reached a new category of beneficiaries, namely women victims of violence.

This program was requested by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in recognition of the important role played by Nebras Institute in the field of rehabilitation and training.

"Nebras" has participated in this pioneering project through the preparation of training courses and sessions to reinforce the capacities of psychiatrists, specialists and practitioners in the support and host centres in the different regions to provide adequate care for women and girls victims of violence.

Although Nebras Institute specializes mainly in the rehabilitation of survivors of torture, as defined in the International Convention Against Torture, and by the Institute as a serious human rights violation and a crime against humanity, its involvement in this program and the inclusion of women victims of torture represents a contribution in terms of psychological training necessary for the medical and professional staff in this field in order to fight against all forms and practices of torture, violence and abuse. It is also an appeal to the various organisations and institutions concerned with violence against women to intervene and contribute to the fight against this violence, considered as a form of torture.

Nebras Institute also hopes to see all these institutions focusing on the necessary treatment, and appeals to all states that do not fulfil their international obligations and commitments in order to prevent and combat violence against women.

As part of its partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Tunisian Institute of Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors "Nebras" provided the training of ten (10) psychologists to support women victims of violence.

This training focused mainly on psychological support techniques for women victims of violence.