Terry Hackett

The suffering of people deprived of liberty subjected to ill treatment and torture tears at the fabric of societies long after the last shot has been fired in armed conflict and armed violence. Torture and ill-treatment are a crime, inhumane and never justified.

Thanks for following my updates. I’ve tried to show humane treatment is a legal imperative as much as a moral one, rooted in international law. When we restore or protect the dignity of detainees, we preserve what binds us together; our humanity. – Terry

Respect for law and dignity: humane treatment and conditions for detainees and allowing contact with families helps keep a level of trust between parties in conflict and can reduce harm that fuels revenge. Humane detention can build pathways to peace. blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy…

Torture and other forms of cruel, degrading or humiliating treatment are illegal and can never be justified. We try to prevent these practices and put an end to them where they do occur. But, ultimately, treating detainees humanly is the responsibility of those who detain them.

Hi again, Terry here. Yesterday, we spoke about the roots of our detention work. Today, we’ll explore what this means for detainees and their families in specific contexts: Afghanistan, Chad, and Yemen. Let’s get into it. 📸 Visiting places of detention in Afghanistan, 2024.

Hi, I’m Terry Hackett. I lead the @ICRC’s work with people deprived of their liberty. Over the next 3 days, I’ll be sharing what our detention work looks like on the ground - how our teams support detainees, what we do, and why it matters. 📸 Me on the far left, in Venezuela.

We visit detainees to ensure that they are being treated humanely. This includes checking that they are being held in acceptable living conditions, can stay in touch with their families, and are being treated under the correct judicial processes. 👇🏽

Our teams in Syria were on the ground at Sednayah Prison just a few days after the takeover of Damascus by the new Syrian government. @SSakalianICRC recalls the scene on the ground in the latest episode of Intercross, a podcast made by @ICRC_dc. - Apple Podcasts: ms.spr.ly/6010SNQkg - Spotify: ms.spr.ly/6013SNQkc

When war breaks out, detaining authorities are responsible for ensuring humane treatment of those they detain. Under international humanitarian law, torture and ill-treatment are strictly prohibited, and that protection must be real, not just written. This is how we can help, and what we cannot do 👇🏽

On International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we say it once again: Torture is a crime, inhumane, and never justified. It fosters hatred and hampers reconciliation after conflicts. @terry_hackett shares 👇🏽

It doesn't matter how. It doesn't matter who. It doesn't matter where. It doesn't matter why. Torture is never acceptable and always illegal.

No matter the circumstances, every person deserves dignity, even behind bars. @terry_hackett, our Head of Persons Deprived of Liberty, reminds states of their obligations to the people they detain.

Important @ICRC_sy statement on #Sednaya prison, after our team’s earlier visit on site today 👇

The ICRC in #Syria has been working on the clarification of the fate of separated families for many years and remains committed to alleviating the suffering of those who have been without news about their loved ones.

“We have received calls from families of prisoners who have been released…or by prisoners themselves seeking to be reunited with their families.” @SSakalianICRC speaks to @bbcworldservice on the very latest from #Damascus, #Syria 📻 Listen from 07.40 bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w1…

During the past hours, the situation in Damascus has been very volatile & chaotic. @ICRC teams present in the city & other regions of #Syria affected by ongoing hostilities, have been closely monitoring the fast- evolving humanitarian needs in coordination with @SYRedCrescent 👇

ICRC staff selected to visit POWs cannot be citizens of any of the countries party to the international armed conflict.

📍 Colombia | Yesterday we facilitated the release of one person who was held captive by the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN). In 2024, we have facilitated the release of 25 people held by armed groups in the country.

In our ongoing collaboration with @CorrectionalKE, we donated emergency water units, each with a capacity of 10,000L/hr, along with medical supplies, all worth KES 49.5 million, in partnership with @KenyaRedCross. The items were received by PS @salomebeacco to improve prisons.

The @ICRC 2024 #IHL Challenges Report is out: rcrcconference.org/app/uploads/20… At every Red Cross/Red Crescent Conference we present our views on the most pressing humanitarian and legal issues. Join us in building a culture of compliance for IHL. 🧵on some key issues

Improving health, hygiene, nutrition, law and prison administration of detention helps to ensure decent and humane treatment of detainees. @ICRC donated hygiene promotion items to Alamudhin 2 Civilian Prison in Jigjiga, #Somali Regional State. #Ethiopia