On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, survivors from the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) International came to Mason to share their stories and to advocate for worldwide abolition of torture. The event was co-sponsored by Women and Gender Studies and the Counseling and Development honor society Gamma Mu Upsilon of Chi Sigma Iota.
TASSC is an agency based in Washington, DC, that works with survivors to help meet their goals through social services, mental health and wellness services, legal services, workforce development, and advocacy. The vast majority of TASSC members are currently seeking asylum in the U.S. Since many survivors have been targeted for torture based on their political views, advocacy work (such as the Truth Speakers program) can be a large part of the healing process.
Speakers from four different countries came to speak at the event. One of the speakers was a lawyer and journalist from Congo-Brazzaville. While there, she worked with indigenous tribes on gender issues and helped protect them from exploitation. She also reported on poaching crimes and governmental corruption, which is why she was targeted for torture. Another speaker was a lawyer from Ethiopia, where she helped run a 400+ person safe house for women who had experienced domestic violence or other forms of gendered/interpersonal violence. A speaker from Liberia shared his journey of actively working against governmental corruption and numerous disappearances of other political activists, for which he was targeted for torture and eventually forced to flee to the U.S. The final speaker was from Cameroon, where he had been active in pushing for recognition for human rights disparities between Anglophone and Francophone communities and standing for change. He recently got received asylum status in the U.S. and successfully brought his wife and children over as well.
According to TASSC, “[torture] is used to break down the personalities of individuals viewed as threats to authoritarian regimes, or to terrorize and/or destroy entire communities, including ethnic, religious, and political groups" (tassc.org). The TASSC Truth Speakers show that even torture could not stop them from speaking out against corruption in their countries, and that care for their communities has surpassed fear for their own lives.
To learn more about TASSC and their internship/job opportunities, please visit tassc.org.
November 17, 2017
