Shown above: The CVT team in Kakuma gathered with representatives from partner organizations including Kenya Red Cross and Refugee Consortium of Kenya in Kakuma.
The Center for Victims of Torture commemorated the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture across our global locations this year. On this day, we take a moment to honor and recognize all victims and celebrate the courage and strength of survivors.
President and CEO
Sonya Funna Evelyn, CVT president and CEO, published this op ed article in the Minnesota Star Tribune. Sonya comments on what she saw when she began her work with CVT in January during the height of the federal ICE immigration violence in Minnesota. She saw what CVT clients and the broader community were experiencing, but also how people responded, writing, “But as I stepped out of that Minneapolis hotel on Jan. 26, past the boarded windows and remnants of anti-ICE scrawlings, I could see that the people were not willing to accept the actions of the government.” The article was picked up here by Yahoo, from The Week Magazine.
Sonya also published this message for survivors on June 26, an article that is available in eight languages. She writes, “On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we honor all victims, survivors and their families; we stand with all who dare to speak for justice, who persevere and find hope.” She adds, “As we honor victims of torture today, we also pledge our support for universal human rights.”
Read Sonya’s message for survivors:
Kenya
The CVT Kenya teams commemorated the day in both Nairobi and Kakuma. Current and former clients were invited to participate in the events held at the Riruta Healing center in Nairobi and the Kalobeyei Village One healing center in Kakuma.
Shown above: The CVT team in Nairobi.
The commemorations brought together staff, clients, partners and community members in solidarity with survivors. During the events, survivors shared testimonies about their healing journeys and the positive impact of CVT services. Members of the Community Advisory Group, comprising refugee community leaders, also gave a brief remarks highlighting the importance of continued support for survivors.
The annual message from CVT’s president and CEO, this year from Sonya Funna Evelyn, was read to all participants, followed by a brief entertainment session that provided an opportunity for celebration. One of the songs that was particularly enjoyed contains a lyric in Swahili, “We have come a long way.”
Mexico
Staff from CVT in Tucson and Mexico participated in an event hosted by International Rescue Committee in Tucson. In addition, CVT Mexico hosted a joint event with our partner Casa de la Misericordia, which honored both June 26 and World Refugee Day.
For our group of clients who were flown to El Salvador by the U.S. government and held in CECOT prison last year, the clinical team sent short videos with messages to recognize them and offer solidarity, as well as a letter from Neal Porter, director of international services, honoring the day.
U.S. Policy Advocacy
“Justice for survivors is not a matter of charity. It is a legal obligation and moral imperative.” To recognize June 26, Yumna Rizvi, senior policy analyst, organized a civil society statement signed by 120 organizations, along with this joint press release with Amnesty International USA. Sending a call to eradicate torture and uphold obligations under the Convention Against Torture, Yumna and the authors write, “Survivors are not merely witnesses. They are rights-holders and agents of change. They are entitled to truth, accountability, and to meaningful participation in designing and strengthening justice systems to ensure those systems are survivor centered.”
Minnesota, U.S.
In St. Paul, Minnesota, a soccer match was held with the CVT United club. In addition, an event was held to honor clients at CVT’s Hope & Belonging center, with speeches, music, singing, great food, a fashion show and dancing. Shown are targeted case managers Megan Peery and August Glomski; see more photos here. In addition, the team at CVT Georgia held an event at the Clarkston clinic to honor clients.
Uganda
The CVT Uganda team promoted the meaning of the day on Radio Mega, a popular outlet in the Acholi region. A jingle ran for three days and a one-hour talk show was held on the 25th with CVT staff speaking with representatives from Human Rights Commission (HRC), Human Rights Focus (HURIFO), a survivor of torture and a police officer.
Jordan
CVT’s New Tactics team launched an Arabic podcast with Sarah Nasrallah, senior advocacy and communications officer at the Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH), about their campaign, “Raise Your Voice Against Torture.” She comments on the importance of partnership and collaboration in human rights work, saying, “There is a common saying in Lebanon that one hand does not clap,’ and it applies perfectly to human rights work.” Read and watch the conversation here.
June 26, 2026
