The signing of the Declaration took place at the historic 16^th century Grosse Stube in the Town Hall of Davos, where leaders have gathered for hundreds of years and diplomacy has flourished. The event marked a renewed global commitment to implement Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

At the event, the signatories included:

• Reverend Karen I. Tse, Founder and CEO of International Bridges to Justice
• Tarzisius Caviezel, Mayor of Davos
• Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship;
• Ayatollah Dr. Ahmad Iravani, President of the Centre for the Study of Islam and the Middle East
• Bani Dugal, UN principal representative of the International Baha’i Community
• Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches
• Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Pakistan Minister of State for Information Technology & Telecommunication
• Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson, President of the Zaytuna College
• Nasereldin Haghamed, CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide
• Swami Agnivesh, President Emeritus, World Council of Arya Samaj
• Ally Martina Clark, Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace

Support global efforts to advance access to justice by signing the Declaration online.

International Bridges to Justice extends its warmest thanks to the Guerrand–Hermès Foundation for Peace for supporting the event.

 Photos courtesy of Irene Hell from “Friends in Media e.V.”

Tarzisius Caviezel, Mayor of Davos — “The Grosse Stube in the Town Hall of Davos dates from 1564. I hope that this time and the historical surroundings give strength and penetrating power in your work on justice. Thank you for having chosen Davos and our Town Hall for the signing of the Declaration on Access to Justice to Prevent Torture.”

Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship; Advisory Board Member of International Bridges to Justice  —  “Three common values that we all share are; First, to respect the dignity of each individual and the diversity of mankind; Second, community over self-interest; And third, to be a steward for the next generation, a steward for intergenerational values. In particular, IBJ is attached to the first value – to give people their dignity. IBJ gives people who are arrested their dignity. This is something I wholeheartedly support. I see that there is a lot to do, but I also see a lot of passion and compassion. And that is what is needed.”

Reverend Karen I. Tse, Founder and CEO of International Bridges to Justice — “Today we have all come together, from many parts of the world, to gather for something that is beautiful; To support defenders as keepers of the dream. IBJ started with lawyers working to give peace, justice and protection. But there is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child, and we see the same with the work of IBJ. Here in Davos is also a village. Religious leaders, technology ministers, the mayor, the students – you have all come together to make the dream happen. We know that if we work together, if we commit, if we act, it can be done. That ending investigative torture can be done. This declaration is more than just signing a piece of paper: It is a declaration of commitment, our commitment to place whatever gift we have into the greater whole.”

Bani Dugal, UN principal representative of the International Baha’i Community — “The international community has a key role to play in mitigating the suffering of ordinary people. In the future, it won’t be possible for a small group to decide the future of humanity. Everyone, every group, every individual, must take ownership of this issue and do what they can to advance justice.”

Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Minister of Youth and ICT, Government of Rwanda — “Many of you know Rwanda as the country of a thousand hills and a million smiles. But you also know that 22 years ago, this country was reduced to ashes and blood. The genocide left hundreds of thousands of survivors in need of justice. After the genocide, if we had not placed human dignity first, torture would have been used as the easiest and cheapest way of getting information. And we know that the one thing that you cannot get with torture is the truth. Today, even the poorest people in Rwanda have access to justice. And if Rwanda can do this, every country in the world can do this.”

Ayatollah Dr. Ahmad Iravani, President of the Centre for the Study of Islam and the Middle East — “This is a great job that IBJ is doing, access to justice to people who are tortured. According to Islamic law, the most important task is to do justice and be just. If you go back to the Koranic verses, there are tens of hundreds of verses that emphasize the importance of justice. There are millions of people who face injustice at every moment – prisoners, the homeless, those who do not have the basic needs of a human being. Justice is at the core of everything. So we ask that God fills our hearts with love and the desire to help human beings.”

Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches — “Justice is a gift, a gift that comes with life. No matter where someone is living, no matter what gender, sexual orientation, age, community, race, or nation, we are all given the gift of justice; and the responsibility to maintain this gift of justice for everyone else. We are with IBJ, with those who are tortured, and those who are at risk of being tortured, in our thoughts and in our prayers.”

Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Pakistan Minister of State for Information Technology & Telecommunication — “When Karen first reached out to me, I was in Pakistan, and the mission she described was something I thought was required to be done. What IBJ is doing should be available in every country. Why should we restrict it to certain places and not reach out to the people who need the help of IBJ the most? We will work together with IBJ in Pakistan. We will work for the girls, we will work for the women, we will work for the needy, we will work together for all those who need us most. If there is justice in society available to everyone, one thing becomes guaranteed: peace becomes our friend and peace is what we are all looking for around the globe.”

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson, President of the Zaytuna College — “Justice always has to be understood within the context of mercy. It is so important that we cultivate in our young people a sense of mercy and empathy. Aristotle said that societies collapse when philia diminishes – philia, the brotherly love that holds and binds people together. Mercy and the cultivation of mercy is something that our world is sorely lacking in many places right now. And when people torture other people, it is because they lack this moral sentiment. And so we remember that God commands to justice, but he also commands to mercy.”

Nasereldin Haghamed, CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide — “Justice cannot happen when space for civil society is shrinking. We are at a difficult time when our work is being challenged; when lots of people, women, children, refugees, are abused and left behind. But working together, with other faiths, other organizations, we can bring peace to these communities.”

Swami Agnivesh, President Emeritus, World Council of Arya Samaj — “If we cannot stand up for justice for others, we cannot expect justice for ourselves. So we need to speak here and now because if we do not, then we risk our own lives. In pure self-interest, we should all unite in one voice to say no more torture. If we really mean business, we need to join hands and hearts and all we can mobilize. And International Bridges to Justice should become the rallying point for each one of us. Because without justice there can be no peace, without justice it is a hollow peace, the peace of the graveyard. So I call on us all to stand up for justice together.”

Bhavani Khemka, International Bridges to Justice Youth Initiative — “I have been working with IBJ since I was in high school. I organized peace vigils at my school in Singapore and worked in six different locations in Cambodia to create video stories of those who have been wrongly accused of crimes. These are people who have been saved by IBJ’s lawyers from torture, as thousands of others have been saved across the world.”

Trevor Winstral, Die Schweizerische Alpine Mittelschule (SAMD) — “In the world I see problems that appear too big to tackle. Each solution offered seems to have an insurmountable impediment, whether that be money or power, or anything else. The only type of solution I can see possibly working is a solution in which the problem is concretely defined and which appeals to basic human values. IBJ is one such solution. When I see an insurmountable obstacle, IBJ sees the solution, IBJ sees hope.”

Attendees listening to speakers during the event.

Speakers and attendees gather after the signing of the Declaration.

Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia, signs the Declaration during the WEF Annual Meeting

 Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Gavi Board Chair and former Finance Minister of Nigeria, contributes her support

“Growing interreligious tensions must be met with strong demonstrations of inclusive communities and interfaith cooperation” says Rev. Karen Tse, an international human rights lawyer and ordained Unitarian minister, who founded IBJ more than a decade ago. “We lead by example to show that people can come together and pray for justice and peace, no matter who they are”

IBJ fosters legal rights in developing countries to aid ordinary citizens suffering under failed judicial systems. It works on the ground supporting a network of hundreds of local defense attorneys and legal aid representatives in more than 37 countries around the world.

Every year at Davos, International Bridges to Justice gathers leaders from all faiths to share blessings and demonstrate support for IBJ’s mission to ensure due process rights for indigent accused  and end torture as a method of investigation around the world.

Opening words were given by Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co-founder of Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and a member of the Advisory Board of IBJ. The candlelit vigil included live instrumental music and  was a welcome rest from the hectic atmosphere at Davos.

“The use of state-sanctioned torture to extract forced confessions is one of the worlds worst Human Rights violations in plain sight” says Ms Tse.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, Rabbi David Rosen, Ayatollah Ahmad Iravani and Bani Dugal, along with the local Davos religious community all came together to offer blessings and condemn the practice of torture. Participants signed ribbons with messages to be projected onto the IBJ Virtual Wishing Wall for Justice and Peace.

International Bridges to Justice is a unique organisation. Our mission to end investigative torture is directly related to early access to counsel, IBJ partners with justice ministries at the national level as well as working directly with defense lawyers at the grassroots level to uphold the rights of individuals ensnared in failed judicial systems. This way, IBJ transforms the problem and produces  durable improvements in the legal infrastructure within  the countries where we are present. The  ultimate aim of IBJ  uphold due process rights for all people and  end torture as an investigative tool worldwide.

A fence with ribbons remains outside the Herz-Jesu Kirche, Promenade 123, Davos Dorf for anyone to visit and give their support by signing a ribbon.

Write your own message for the IBJ Virtual Wishing Wall for Justice and Peace to davos@ibj.org or go to: http://padlet.com/a2j/IBJWishingWall
—
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES TO JUSTICE (IBJ)

IBJ is dedicated to ensuring legal rights worldwide and abolishing torture as a means of judicial investigation. Based in Geneva, it supports a network of defense lawyers at the grassroots level in more than 37 countries. Since 2002, IBJ has trained over 22,700 lawyers, taken on over 30,000 cases and reached over 25 million people with legal rights awareness campaigns. It is a registered non-profit organization in Europe and the United States.

As a part of a joint initiative between IBJ India and Delhi Prisons to spread awareness among jail inmates about their rights and duties as prescribed under the law, a team consisting of Mr. Ajay Verma, IBJ Senior Fellow and Advocate, and Ms. Pankhuri Mehandiratte, Advocate, visited Central Jail No.3 on 31 March 2015. Tihar Jail has been identified as Asia’s largest prison complex, housing more than 12,000 under trial and convicted belonging to all age groups.

The event saw an active participation of over 200 inmates who had been charged for petty offences and were waiting for their trial to be completed. The main purpose of the event was to make the inmates aware about the provisions of bail and surety bonds and the juvenile justice act while informing them of their legal rights and duties. Mr. Sanjay, the prison welfare officer appointed by the Government as per Delhi Prisons Act, 2000, also contributed to the interactive discussions with the inmates.

Mr. Ajay Verma and Ms. Pankhuri Mehndiratta were given a warm reception by the prison administration. Mr. Ajay Verma discussed the provisions of bail in bailable and non-bailable cases, addressing the common problem of conditions of bail and surety bonds. A brief discussion followed about the provisions of the existing Juvenile Justice Act. Many inmates were under the false impression that the lawyers appointed by the Legal Services Authorities are state lawyers and that they will not get proper representation as they are being prosecuted by the state. Mr. Ajay Verma clarified this misconception after sharing his 13 years of experience working as a Legal Aid Lawyer. The inmates were also informed about their right to free legal aid. This event also introduced the ‘Information Booklet’, developed by IBJ India and Delhi Prisons to further inform the inmates of their legal rights.

Many inmates were hesitant to disclose their details at first, but IBJ India was able to identify 10 people who were in need of legal aid. IBJ will be returning to meet with them one-on-one in order to ensure that they receive proper representation.

The legal rights awareness event proved to be a huge success. IBJ India is delighted to have the support of the prison authorities and will work to strengthen the bond established between the prison administration and IBJ lawyers. The event proved to be another important step towards strengthening the legal justice system in India.

By Ritvik Mawkin, Intern, IBJ India

Pankhuri A. Mehndiratta and Katyayini,  IBJ India

IBJ India in collaboration with Delhi Prisons organized a two-day capacity building workshop for warders and custodial staff at the Prison Headquarters, Tihar, New Delhi on September 26 -27, 2014. The workshop was aimed at building capacity and legal awareness within the prison system in Tihar. It was attended by custodial staff including Warders, Head Warders, and the Assistant Superintendent from each prison in the Tihar Central Jail and Rohini District Jail. Both days at the workshop saw an encouraging level of interaction and participation by the custodial staff.   After the short introduction given by IBJ India fellow, Mr. Ajay Verma, the Deputy Inspector General, Mr. Mukesh Prasad, inaugurated the session. Mr. Sunil Gupta, Law Officer, Tihar jail, then gave a brief overview of the Delhi Prisons Act and the role of warders.

Mr. Alok Verma, Director General of Tihar Jail, held an interactive session with the custodial staff of the Tihar and Rohini prisons. An array of issues was brought to the attention of Mr. Verma ranging from the unsatisfactory living conditions of the warders and custodial staff to the problems that they face due to the lack of internal mechanisms for promotion. IBJ India was able to facilitate constructive dialogue between management and the staff of the prisons in a bid to strengthen mutual understanding of the challenges they both face.

Mr. D V Trivedi, Former Director of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), discussed the conduct of warders so as to ensure effective prison management. The custodial staff was then asked to share their ideas about prison and the purpose of incarceration. Though the majority of the warders and custodial staff agreed that reformation and rehabilitation was the end goal of incarceration, some of them were of the opinion that it is important to adopt a punitive approach towards inmates who are repeat offenders and display no respect for prison regulations. However, the attitude of the custodial staff was largely sympathetic towards the prisoners, recognizing that personal circumstances could have an influential role in their imprisonment and that it was the prerogative of the courts to pronounce someone guilty.

The session then moved on to the discussion of other issues, including the present infrastructure that needs to be upgraded to keep up to date with the latest technology. One specific demand is the need for more CCTV cameras to ensure complete and effective surveillance on part of the custodial staff. Also addressed was the problem of understaffing that is accentuated by the high professional dropout rate due to lack of incentives, promotions, and low wages. The custodial staff was successfully able to bring awareness that there are inadequate cashless treatment schemes for them and that the very few hospitals that offer this were meager in terms of the quantity and quality of these services. The refurbishment of staff quarters was promised by the Director General (Prisons), Tihar, during his interactive session and will hopefully be looked into immediately. Another major problem that was addressed was prison overcrowding. This leads to overwork and burn out of the custodial staff. Moreover, over 70% of the inmate population is under trial, which makes the implementation of discipline more challenging for the staff members. The problem is further pronounced when inmates, despite having been granted bail, are unable to secure their release on account of lack of a surety or the financial means to secure bond.

Mr. Ajay Verma, Advocate and IBJ India Fellow, discussed the role of custodial staff in ensuring justice for the inmates as well as correct bail procedures u/s 167,436,437 of the CrPC, appeals, parole, furlough and juvenile inmates. He also discussed that the segregation of prisoners should be more clearly defined and suggested specialized cells for first offenders. In order to ensure the awareness of the custodial staff about the prevalent legal provisions, judgments and techniques of administering discipline, it is imperative that they should receive regular training sessions. The prison staff then received instruction on the rights of the prisoners and their duties towards them. During the last part of the session, different reformative measures were discussed by the IBJ team members Ajay Verma (IBJ India Fellow) and Pankhuri A Mehndiratta (Advocate).

Dr. Shahzad Ibrahimi, a renowned motivational speaker, was also present as part of the eminent people that shared their energy for the cause of strengthening the criminal justice system and its pillars in order to ensure respect for human rights. Ms. Deepika Gupta, Consultant Psychologist at Human Dynamic, Gurgaon, shared her views on behavioral disorders and suicidal tendencies of prisoners and the role of prison staff in monitoring prisoners. In her highly engaging session, she gave valuable indicators to identify inmates with behavioral disorders to aid the custodial staff in assessing potentiality of suicide within the cells.

Strengthening the core of the criminal justice system of India through capacity building and awareness training helps IBJ India to live up to its mandate of ensuring the respect for human rights and preventing torture during detention. The entire team of IBJ India is extremely grateful for the support and collaboration of the Delhi prison authorities and looks forward to hosting similar events in the future.

« Plus de 800 personnalités influentes se réunissent pour préparer l’avenir, élargir les possibilités et en créer de nouvelles. La Conférence Mondiale WIN inspire, donne du contexte, des outils, de la connaissance et un important réseau de soutien pour que les femmes intègrent leurs valeurs féminines aux toutes leurs activités et qui suscitent une forte prise de conscience globale » {1}

Karen était membre lors de la Conférence WIN d’un panel comprenant Maggy Barankitse, Lorella Zanardo, et Anke Domscheit-Berg et elle a ainsi pu parler du travail qu’elle réalisait avec IBJ. Lors de cet évènement elle a reçu le prestigieux Prix WIN qui vise à récompenser les femmes remarquables chaque année.

Regardez aussi les commentaires des suiveurs de Karen sur Twitter!

{1} http://www.winconference.net/WINConference/P_Home/OAwAAH1LT2tQbVFheVZhcFhCCQA

“More than 800 leaders from across the world, join together to prepare for the future, expand possibilities and realize new opportunities. WIN inspires, provides context, tools, knowledge and a generous network of support for women to contribute authentically, integrating their feminine values and global awareness into all that they do.” {1}

Karen was invited to speak about her work on a panel of the WINConference’s “most inspirational women” alongside Maggy Barankitse, Lorella Zanardo, and Anke Domscheit-Berg. That night Karen was chosen for the prestigious WIN Award,  given to one “outstanding and inspiring woman” each year.

Twitter was buzzing with picture and quotes from Karen’s address!

{1} http://www.winconference.net/WINConference/P_Home/OAwAAH1LT2tQbVFheVZhcFhCCQA

The UN declared 26^th of June the United Nations Day in Support of Victims of Torture. To honor these victims and their families, International Bridges to Justice brought together members of every faith at the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Center in Geneva, Switzerland to light a candle and say a prayer for the end of torture in our lifetime.

Religious leaders, country representatives, and members of the Geneva community came together to stand in solidarity with International Bridges to Justice and the efforts of our JusticeMakers and Fellows around the world working to enact justice for all accused.

Guests gather at the World Council of Churches’ Chapel

Michael French conducts the welcoming

Reverend Richard Gyhra representative from the Holy See Mission to the United Nations in Geneva

“We also pray for a change of heart of the perpetrators of torture, because we want what is good, what is true, and what is just.”

-Rev. Richard Gyhra

Reverend John Beach, Rector of Emmanuel Church in Geneva

“We give thanks to you, for those who defend human rights and the various people who work with determination and faithfulness for the care of  all victims of violence. Let us never make peace with despair.”

-Reverend John Beach

Vuillemin Vincent Keisen from the Zen Dojo of Geneva

“As numerous are the sentient beings, we make the vow to save them all.”

-Vuillemin Vincent Keisen

Dr. Rama Mani offering a chant for peace

“I ask us to prayer for all the torturers around the world.  May their shuttered hearts be blown open by the power of love. May they rediscover their humanity, so they can begin the long journey to undo their harm and to sow the seeds of love.”

-Dr. Rama Mani

Rav Dr. Izhak Dayan, Grand Rabbai of Geneva

“Our leaders today must learn that abusing weak and helpless prisoners compromises our ideals and diminishes rather than enhances our power”

-Rav Dr. Izhak Dayan

Faramarz Falahi and Ramin Granfar

Faramarz Falahi quoted Kitab-i-Aqdas who spoke of the human condition in regards to the Baha’i faith:

«l’importance de la valeur des êtres humains, de l’importance de la coexistence paçifique , de la coopération et du soutien mutuel, sans discrimination, haine, hostilité et préjugés religieuses aveugles »

“the importance of the value of human beings, the importance of peaceful coexistence, cooperation and mutual support, without discrimination, hatred, hostility and blind religious prejudice”

Amir Hashom and Sayed Salih Al-Hakim from the Al-Hakim Foundation

Sayed Salih Al-Hakim

Sayed Salih Al-Hakim, Director of the Dialogue Center “Al-Hikma,” in Najaf, Iraq, offered a prayer for a commitment to peace from every faith.

Geshi Luntok, Geshi Gedun, and Othok Rinpoche, from the Shedrub Choekhor Ling Monastery and Buddhist Center in Mont Salève offering a chant

Othok Rinpoche

“Je prie et je souhaite le monde de vient une famille, et comme une famille, et pour ça on a tous la responsabilité de faire ce qu’on peut.”

“I pray and I hope the world becomes a family; we all have the responsibility of doing what we can for our family.”

-Othok Rinpoche

Founder and CEO of IBJ, Karen Tse

“We are at a time in history where standing on the side of righteousness says we will stand with everyone. We will stand because no one should be tortured.”

-Karen Tse

The IBJ Choir leads the singing of Word of Justice with Patty Solomon

Sanda Freeman leads Dona Nobis Pacem

Guests were invited to light a candle

Karen Tse and Rav Dr. Izhak Dayan

Maria Teresa Avila Shogetsu, Vuillemin Vincent Keisen, and Reverend Richard Gyhra

Rav Dr. Izhak Dayan, Maria Teresa Avila Shogetsu, and Vuillemin Vincent Keisen

Reverend Beth Linguri closes with a moment of reflection

“We bring this energy of love and surround them with this light. This brings peace and justice and the qualities of love into those places where there appears to be separation, where there appears to be injustice.”

-Rev. Beth Linguri

Esteemed guests and IBJ staff gather together after the Vigil

IBJ received pictures from over 16 different countries and 4 continents! We are thankful for the outpouring of support IBJ has received internationally, from individuals and groups alike, giving us strength to build our vision of a just and peaceful world. The success of the Interfaith Peace Vigil Worldwide and CitiesForJustice campaigns remain a central  force behind our global effort to eradicate torture in the 21st century.

John Bosco Bugingo, IBJ Rwanda Fellow in Kigali

Marlon Zakeyo, Former IBJ Africa Program Officer, Johannesburg Area, South Africa

IBJ JusticeMakers Fellow, Patrick Dunkwu in Lagos, Nigeria

IBJ Zimbabwe Fellow Innocent Maja at the Interfaith Peace Vigil held in Harare on June 26th

Youth Scholar Ethan Swift in front of the Merlion statue in Singapore

IBJ’s team at Bell & Drum towers in Beijing, China

Youth Scholar Daniel Fung Jr. holding a vigil at his home with family and friends in Hong Kong

Members of Justice Centre Hong Kong organizing a vigil in solidarity with IBJ

Red Square in Moscow, Russia

Youth Scholar Jihun Hong holding an Interfaith Peace Vigil for family and friends in Seoul, South Korea

Former IBJ Staff David Zhou in Toronto, Canada

India Peace Centre in Maharashtra, India

Swami Agnivesh of India at the Inter-Faith Vigil at Jantar Mantar Road, New Delhi, India

IBJ India Fellow, Ajay Verma and IBJ staff member Courtney Skiles in New Delhi, India

IBJ India Fellow Ajay Verma at a Tibetan temple in Delhi, India

Unitarian Universalists, Geneva, Switzerland

IBJ interns Geneva, Switzerland

Staff of Human Rights and Development Foundation of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand

IBJ JusticeMakers Fellow  Judge Mahfuza Folad organized a vigil in Kabul, Afghanistan and invited judges, police, prosecutors, school children, and community representatives

IBJ Cambodia staff led by Cambodia Fellow Ouk Vandeth at an interfaith peace vigil organized in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Empire State Building in New York City USA

Former IBJ staff Jamila Justine Willis at Times Square, New York City USA

UN in New York, USA

International Program Director Sanjeewa Liyanage with former IBJ staff in Washington DC USA

Dallas, Texas USA

Shawna Foster in Omaha, Nebraska USA

Meadville Lombard students, Chicago, IL USA

Rev. Joanna Crawford, USA

Rev. Eric Posa, USA

Rev. Patrice Curtis, USA

Rev. Meg Riley, USA

Rev. Hank Pierce, USA

Youth raising awareness in Santa Monica, California USA

Guest Speaker and Founding IBJ Board Member Mia Yamamoto with local organizers Judith Lyons and Charlene Huang in Santa Monica, California USA

Milli Barendse in front of a Dutch windmill in Vlissingen, the Netherlands

Pawan Rauf in front of the Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam, the Netherlands