User:Leahst73/International Society for Health and Human Rights



The International Society for Health and Human Rights 

The International Society for Health and Human Rights (ISHHR) is an association for health workers engaged in work with persons and communities affected by human rights violations. Its aim is to gather and share knowledge about the effects of human rights violations on health, exchange experiences and information about treatment methods, psychosocial and psychological care, and contribute to the development of psychosocial interventions both on individual and community level. ISHHR functions as a supporting association to regional grassroots organizations and has members in almost 50 countries worldwide.

Activities of ISHHR
The World Health Organization has defined health as a ‘’state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’’] At the individual level, early recognition and adequate care of health problems caused by human rights violations may help prevent subsequent health problems. At the community level, psychosocial intervention may strengthen the coping abilities and resilience of those affected by human rights violations. On this basis, ISHHR seeks to:

1. Capacity building of professionals working in the field of health and human rights through organizing regular international conferences and professional development workshops. ISHHR has successfully organized eight International Conferences: France (1987), Costa Rica(1989),Chile(1991), The Philippines (1994), South Africa(1998), Croatia(2001),India(2005) and recently Peru (2008).

Peru conference is available on our ISHHR websites (www.ishhr.org or www.ishhr.com).

2. Make information in the form of lectures and texts on health and human rights more accessible available to our members and the general public through our website.

3. Maintain and establish contacts between relevant national and international organizations to promote the accessibility of health care and human rights of persons suffering from violations of human rights. ISHHR has signed letters of cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the World Health Organization (WHO).

4. Support like minded organizations in monitoring and campaigning for adherence to international legal instruments.

5. Supporting and protecting health workers involved in the care of persons whose human rights have been violated.

ISHHR Council
Each continent is represented in the council and the diversity of council members represents the international solidarity against human rights violations. Current Council members are;

Jorge Aroche (Secretary General) - STARTTS, Australia Dean Ajdukovic - Society for Psychological Assistance, Croatia Vijay Shah - Indu Health Research Foundation, India Amber Elizabeth Gray - Restorative Resources Training & Consulting, USA Nimisha Patel - Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, UK Rosa Lia Chauca - Red Para la Infancia y la Familia, Perú Hande Karakilic - Psychiatric Association of Turkey, Turkey Patrick O’Loughlin - Western Norway Violence and Trauma Resource Centre, Norway NINO Makhashvili - Global Initiative on Psychiatry, Georgia Jose Vera Gomez - ATYHA Mental Health and Human Rights, Paraguay Sukoluhle Hove - Zimbabwe Mariano Coello - STARTTS, Australia Loes van Willigen(Honorary President) - Refugee Health Care Consultancy, The Netherlands

ISHHR Secretariat
Ms. Janset Berzeg, B.Ec. & Ind. Rel, MA international development, is the Coordinator of ISHHR Secretariat. ISHHR Secretariat is based in Sydney, Australia and ISHHR is registered as a not for profit organisation in the Netherlands, Australia and Georgia.

ISHHR International Capacity Building Workshops & Conferences
ISHHR has successfully organized eight international conferences: France (1987), Costa Rica(1989),Chile(1991), The Philippines (1994), South Africa(1998), Croatia(2001),India(2005), Peru (2008) and the next event will be held in 6-9 October 2011 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Keynote speakers at ISHHR Conference in Georgia (2011) are the world famous psychiatrists Vamik Volkan and Pau Perez Sales.