Survivor Advisory Group’s Vision for 2026

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By Matthew Hedges, Member of the Survivor Advisory Group

Established in 2022, the Survivor Advisory Group is a survivor-led body that empowers and supports survivors to lead initiatives confronting torture. We are a diverse group of torture survivors from Bahrain, Chad, DRC, Iran, UK, and Zimbabwe. Despite our differences we are united by a shared determination to confront the evils of torture and advocate for a survivor centred approach to accountability and justice. 

We believe that being part of a survivor community is not only a privilege but also a hugely enriching commitment that demonstrates we are not alone and there are others who are willing to fight for accountability and ensure that others don’t experience what we have. 

SAG is grateful to everyone who has shown solidary to survivors on the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.  

The Survivor Advisory Group empowers survivors by raising awareness of our experiences and using this to support informed decision making and policy making. We are extremely thankful to all those who work to support survivor leadership as it endows us with a shared purpose, enhancing our confidence.  

We firmly believe that torture can only be truly confronted alongside those who have experienced it. One of our members eloquently defined our primary motivation and purpose:  

Ultimately, involving survivors in the anti-torture sector’s processes can lead to more effective policies, better outcomes for survivors, and a greater respect for human rights.

SAG has been proactive in engaging and lobbying politicians in the UK. We hold regular parliamentary events, developing relationships and successfully lobbying for parties to incorporate our recommendations into policy commitments.  

We have also been highly engaged with the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) consular and human rights teams.  

We have published two reports, the Survivors of Torture Manifesto and Whose Justice? which were launched in the UK Parliament. 

Our Survivors of Torture Manifesto calls for the development of policy in seven key areas: 

  1. Uphold the absolute prohibition of torture.  
  2. Support torture survivors to be involved in UK policy-making on issues within our lived experience and on anti-torture initiatives. 
  3. Scrutinize law and support efforts to strengthen universal jurisdiction.  
  4. Improve Magnitsky sanctions as a tool in preventing torture.  
  5. Uphold the Labour party’s commitment to enshrine into law a legal right to consular assistance.  
  6. Improve the provision of support systems and rehabilitation for torture survivors. 
  7. End the hostile environment asylum policy and replace it with a respectful and empathetic immigration system. 

Meanwhile “Whose Justice?” confirms varying interpretations of justice and accountability amongst torture survivors.  

Building on our success we invite and call upon our allies and all those present to collaborate with us. I want to highlight three of our current priorities and activities: 

  • Firstly, we are preparing a submission for the upcoming UK review by the UN Committee against Torture (CAT).  
  • Secondly, we are amplifying our cooperation with the UK government amidst its commitment to increasing survivor participation in policy reviews.  
  • Thirdly, we are supporting advocacy campaigns that highlight and confront the creeping assault on civil liberties particularly regarding torture.  

I would like to reaffirm our enthusiasm in expanding collaboration and welcome any conversations.  

 

The Survivor Advisory Group (SAG) presented its vision for 2026 during an event marking the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 1 July at the offices of A&O Shearman in London. The event, supported by REDRESS, brought together survivors of torture, civil society organisations, donors, academics, policymakers, and other stakeholders working on torture prevention, accountability, and rehabilitation. It featured a keynote address by Sir Malcolm Evans, Chair of REDRESS and a pre-eminent legal scholar renowned for his pioneering work on torture prevention. The programme also included remarks from SAG member Sepideh Sahar and a panel discussion moderated by REDRESS Senior Legal Advisor Chris Esdaile. Panellists included SAG member Jawad Fairooz; Reem Assil from Survivors Speak Out/One Strong Voice; and Sapna Malik, Partner at Leigh Day and Human Rights Solicitor of the Year in 2019.