Torture and allegations of inhuman and degrading treatment in the Basque Region

Abstract

The "Torturaren Aurkako Taldea" (TAT), the Basque denomination for the Group against Torture, was founded in 1981 with the aim both of investigating torture and degrading treatment allegations occurring in places of detention and in penitentiary establishments, as well as that of raising awareness of torture in society. Later, in 1992, the Group became a legally recognized Non Governmental Organization, which now consists of Doctors in Medicine, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Lawyers and other individuals with knowledge on the matter. It primarily provides medical care and legal assistance for victims of torture, arbitrary detentions, summary executions and other gross human rights violations. It addresses relevant cases to regional and international NGOs and Institutions. In particular it focuses its work on the Human Rights Committee sessions analyzing Spain, on the Committee against Torture meetings considering reports on Spain, and on supplying information to the Human Rights Commission Rapporteur on Torture and to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, among others. The Group's medical section has published some articles in "The Lancet" (1995), "Forensic Science International" (1995) and "Torture" (1997).