Albanian Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma and Torture Victims- ARCT
ARCT Mission, Vision, Goal
Mission
To improve the quality of life through fostering a well-functioning connected community that is capable of meeting the economic and social changes ahead based on the concept that each individual's quality of life is connected to the well-being of the community both locally and globally
Vision
To see stable and democratic society in the country without torture, ill-treatment and organized violence and to have knowledge and respect of human rights widespread in all spheres of society, particularly in Mental Health.
The Goal
- to provide specialized medical and psychosocial treatment and rehabilitation, social and legal support to victims of torture and their family members, victims of human trafficking, as well as to contribute in torture and organized violence prevention, and increase of awareness on mental health problems in the health system and general public.
- developing the skills of NGO's in MH in the country with regard to Human Rights of mentally ill persons by awareness-raising among members of professional groups, family members and family associations, and the public
Main Activities
Rehabilitation
The ARCT delivers psychological, medical and social services through multidisciplinary teamwork, to torture victims, mostly from the communist era, but also to other target groups like victims of nowadays police maltreatment, victims of trafficking. The aim is to cover the rehabilitation needs of torture survivors in a more expanded way through an out-centre specialised attention from trained professionals (medical doctors and teachers) to 15 000 torture survivors. Psychotherapeutic, psychosocial, physiotherapeutic treatment is delivered. Primary medical care and legal counseling is also being delivered.
Prevention
With the aim to eradicate torture and raise awareness among professionals, most important elements of prevention activity are the training seminars on the topics of torture consequences and treatment and ethics, especially with health professionals. Other activities of importance are be the Round tables with participation of officials, media, etc. publication of articles and advertising materials in written media and organisation of TV and radio programs, and dissemination of published materials, such as lectures, leaflets and posters. Monitoring of Torture in Prison and Police Stations is carried out as part of the preparation of the Alternative report to be submitted to international organizations.
Human rights in mental health
A Unit/Center covering exclusively the issues related to the Human Rights of the Mentally ill in order to create a strong reference point for the family organizations, mental health and health staff in Tirana, and the country is established. In the centre educational materials and the Periodical Report of the situation of the Human Rights of the mentally ill in Albania is produced.
Reporting to International Agencies on Torture and Violations of Human Rights in Mental Health in Albania
ARCT has produced and submitted to UN and CPT yearly Alternative Reports prepared in 2004 and 2005. Alternative Reports are going to be produced on a yearly bases and distributed to local and international human rights activists and organizations.
For further information: http://www.arct.org/ and arct@albmail.com
Rr. Kont Urani, no. 10
Tirana, ALBANIA
Tel: +355 42 565 22
Fax: +355 42 354 88
ARCT is a non-governmental, non-for-profit organization registered no. 52 at Tirana Court. NIPT-K41517026R