Promoting protection of human rights through OPCAT implementation in Albania – was the recent component for identifying ARCT as the promoter of the establishment of the Albanian National Preventive Mechanism (NPM, March, 2010). A previous initiative is dating back in 2007, where ARCT initiated the review of the Article 76, and 87 “On Torture definitions” in the Albanian Penal Code. Today, ARCT has consolidated partnerships with the General Prisons Directorate (on Monitoring and Measuring the prevalence of torture in places of detention); with People’s Advocate (providing professional medical and forensic expertise, in line with the OPCAT requirements, performing joint monitoring visits in prisons and psychiatric hospitals and co-organizing public events and campaigns). ARCT also provided help for the former Guantanamo prisoners settled in Albania and need for medical, psychological and social treatment/ reintegration, cooperation with their legal representative in the USA and UK.

Every year, ARCT supports the Global Campaign on the 26^th of June - UN International Day against Torture; through public events, press statements etc. 

Considering the data, dynamics and the gravity of the current human rights situation, providing legal assistance free of charge for categories of prisoners in pre trial and detention facilities has raised the awareness on the activities that ARCT was engaged during 2011; the cooperation with and experience exchange with state authorities and civil society actors which operate for the improvements of the service within penitentiary system. Raising the issue at the national campaign against torture creates a better awareness on the multiplier level of project outcomes on human treatment and dignity after the project period of time.

ARCT has been able to finalize Strategic Priorities 2012-16, creating a consolidated basis for the institutional strengthening and better positioning of the organization in terms of concrete priority-setting processes and clear deadlines, thus contributing in developing an internal organization’ s profile towards a future potential institutional partnership.  Being in the domain of prevention and rehabilitation of those who have suffered torture atrocities, ARCT designed the Action as inter-link with the work that ARCT is currently performing, having the component of the rehabilitation for torture victims - prioritized ad an advocacy tool.

Rehabilitation of torture victims

Having a consolidated background in contributing for a just society, the ARCT is recognized as thefirst organization in the country offering rehabilitation to torture survivors (1995), providing psychological, medical, social support to more than 15.000 former political persecuted - state victims in Albania. This category is experiencing a second victimization during transition in Albania (‘90s-to date), through lack of status and without integration (material, social and moral). In 2007 ARCT has lobbied with the Albanian Parliament for the Adoption of the Resolution to condemn the communist atrocities and, in cooperation with People’s Advocate initiated the National Campaign Albania without Torture (2008). Rehabilitation work has been focused in client’ overall assessment, psychological and medical assessment (registration, diagnosing, treatment, monitoring and follow-up). Starting from 2004, ARCT introduced the electronic data management system.    

Treatment approaches as: cognitive therapy, insight therapy, behaviour therapy and the testimony method, were constantly provided through group therapy, memorisation seats, primary healthcare, social and legal services are provided through periodic visits and check-ups in Tirana and Shkodra.