Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 11h

“As therapists, we talk about the future with them but we forget about the ambiguity in their futures. I try to keep in mind this question: How can they think of the future when there is no justice?” CVT's Yusra Al-Kailani on the role of justice in therapy.
www.cvt.org/articles/bri...

Bridging Healing and Justice for Survivors

I started my career as a passionate psychosocial counselor, working with children who had been subjected to severe domestic violence.

www.cvt.org

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 1d

ICE must stop using The WRAP – a full-body restraint – in deportations. There are humane ways to de-escalate situations, including mental health support. New from Oliver Mercer at @visaverge.bsky.social

www.visaverge.com/news/ices-fu...

ICE's full-body restraints in deportations spark concerns of inhumane treatment

As of October 2025, ICE’s use of full-body restraints, especially The WRAP, is under intense scrutiny. Rights groups, medical experts, and former detainees report the device is being used for hours du...

www.visaverge.com

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 1d

More on CVT's advocacy work . . .

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 1d

A critical component of CVT’s work over four decades has been policy advocacy to support survivors, end torture and hold people accountable. Many key policy moments were influenced by CVT’s advocacy. Check out these key moments of our history.

1 1 1

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 5d

“Feeling like they’re being constantly surveilled by our government reminds them of how they were treated back home. That’s why they left.” CVT's Sara Nelson comments on impacts of anti-immigration on clients. By @deannapistono.bsky.social on @minnpost.bsky.social

www.minnpost.com/race-health-...

Q&A: How Center for Victims of Torture suppports immigrants - MinnPost

Programming manager Sara Nelson will speak about immigrant health at Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity’s annual meeting.

www.minnpost.com

1 2

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 5d

On World Mental Health Day, a reminder that more than 123 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. These levels, and the trauma they suggest, are truly historic. Mental health care must be part of crisis response. Let’s make mental health and well-being for all a global priority.

1

Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture

Simon Adams @simonadams.bsky.social · 6d

We must end this detestable commerce in human cruelty. @cvt.org is proud to partner with @amnesty.org @omegarf.bsky.social and others in pursuit of a #TortureFreeTradeTreaty

3 3

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 6d

How does the U.S. immigration system affect community health and wellbeing? Join CVT's Sara Nelson as she speaks on a panel hosted by MN Doctors for Health Equity. Oct. 11 in St. Paul. If you’re in Minnesota, register here: mdheq.org/event-6334218

1

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 6d

Over CVT’s 40 years, we expanded to many countries, serving thousands of survivors. Many programs have since closed, but our hearts are with our colleagues and clients always.

2 3

Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture

Simon Adams @simonadams.bsky.social · 7d

“If a torture-free trade treaty would spare even one person the horrors that we have experienced, it is worth any effort that doing so would require. World leaders can achieve this goal if they commit to it, and lives can be saved.” #TortureFreeTradeTreaty

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 13d

Survivors of torture have spoken out: It is time to ban goods that have no purpose other than torture. Read the joint declaration from survivors, who write, “We unequivocally support a torture-free trade treaty.”
www.cvt.org/statements/j...

2 1

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 7d

“There was then no such thing as a one treatment fits all, nor is there now,” writes Dr. Rosa Garcia-Peltoniemi, former CVT senior consulting clinician. She was one of the very first clinicians to provide care to survivors at CVT in its earliest years. Read her story:
www.cvt.org/articles/fro...

From the Beginnings of CVT: A Personal Story

I began working at the Center for Victims of Torture shortly after getting a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Minnesota.

www.cvt.org

1 1

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 8d

It’s CVT’s 40th anniversary! Join us in celebrating our milestones and accomplishments from our beginnings back in 1985. Watch for information and details from our four decades of healing and hope.

1

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 13d

Survivors of torture have spoken out: It is time to ban goods that have no purpose other than torture. Read the joint declaration from survivors, who write, “We unequivocally support a torture-free trade treaty.”
www.cvt.org/statements/j...

3

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 14d

The lawsuit CVT joined took a huge blow Friday when the Supreme Court let the Trump administration withhold $4 billion in foreign aid which had been appropriated by Congress and was set to expire today. Even in the face of this setback, we continue to fight for our clients in every way we can.

2 5

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 15d

We must ban the trade of goods that have no use other than torture. It’s time for a torture-free trade treaty. Sign the petition: www.amnesty.org/en/petition/...

1 4

Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture

Simon Adams @simonadams.bsky.social · 16d

One Million Syrians have returned home since the fall of Assad. They want to rebuild their country and recover from the trauma of atrocities, being refugees, and a decade of war. @CVT.org stands with them. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

1 million people have returned to Syria since fall of Assad, U.N. says

Displaced Syrians returning after 13 years of war are hopeful about their country — and wary of looming economic risks and instability.

www.washingtonpost.com

2 4

Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture

Simon Adams @simonadams.bsky.social · 16d

“Adherence to treaties has saved lives, upheld human dignity, and protected millions of people from persecution, torture and other human rights abuses.” @cvt.org joins the call for all UN Member States to uphold international treaties. www.icj.org/open-letter-...

Open Letter: Call for UN member states to uphold, preserve and strengthen international refugee, human rights and humanitarian treaties | ICJ

The ICJ has joined over 250 civil society organizations in the following open letter urging UN member states to uphold, preserve and strengthen i

www.icj.org

2 2

Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture

Tobi Raji @tobiaraji.bsky.social · 17d

One million Syrians have returned to the country since President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December after a quarter century in power, @unhcr.org said last week.

Many come from neighboring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, with a majority resettling in the capital, Damascus.

1 1 2

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 17d

The “people of Syria have hope and want to rebuild their country, and they want to rebuild the relationships between them,” said CVT’s Yusra Al-Kailani to @tobiaraji.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

1 million people have returned to Syria since fall of Assad, U.N. says

Displaced Syrians returning after 13 years of war are hopeful about their country — and wary of looming economic risks and instability.

www.washingtonpost.com

5

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 18d

Bad news as the Supreme Court lets Trump cut foreign aid. Scott Roehm, CVT director of global policy & advocacy, comments to @cnn.com: “The administration is abandoning torture victims to serve a naked political agenda, nothing more.”
edition.cnn.com/2025/09/26/p...

Supreme Court lets Trump withhold $4 billion in foreign aid approved by Congress | CNN Politics

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed President Donald Trump to freeze $4 billion in foreign aid payments, handing the White House a significant victory in its monthslong quest to claw back spending tha...

edition.cnn.com

2 4 6

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 20d

Rendering people to countries or prisons that use torture, including CECOT prison, is illegal. Transfers to torture by the Trump administration violate the principle of non-refoulement. These transfers are done out of cruelty and to instill fear and pain among immigrants in the U.S.

1 6

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 22d

“There’s a growing groundswell of support for an end to what’s happening in Gaza, to violations of international humanitarian law, to the deliberate starvation of the Palestinian people,” says @simonadams.bsky.social on global power dynamics as UNGA begins.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=okJf...

Wars in Gaza and Ukraine on UNGA agenda amid shift in global power dynamics

YouTube video by CNA

www.youtube.com

1 1

Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture

Mukwege Foundation @mukwegefoundation.org · 22d

📢 Are you a policymaker, survivor advocate or researcher in the field of gender-based violence and #crsv? Join these free expert webinar series organised by the consortium ARC for justice.

📅 25/9, 2/10, 9/10 & 16/10
📍 Register now via Zoom⤵️

1 2 1

Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 22d

CVT is proud to partner in this new webinar series. Join us Thursdays for important conversations about bringing the voices of survivors into processes for justice. Thursday’s webinar: Survivor-Informed Policymaking for Justice Through Consultation, 9/25. georgetown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

1

Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture

Simon Adams @simonadams.bsky.social · 22d

In a time of conflict, creeping authoritarianism and atrocities in #Gaza and elsewhere, what can be achieved at #UNGA80 ? (My attempt to provide some answers here ⬇️📻) 🇺🇳 www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

At the UN, steps toward Palestinian statehood - ABC listen

At the annual UN general assembly meeting in New York, the leaders of another nine nations have recognised Palestinian statehood.

www.abc.net.au

2 5