The Relationship Between Health And Human Rights: Studying The Effects Of Torture On Patients

Dr. Allen Keller graduated from the New York University School of Medicine, and spent a year working along the Thai – Cambodian border from 1985 to 1986. He developed an interest in studying the relationship between health and human rights, eventually affiliating with the organization Physicians for Human Rights. Studying the issue of how torture affects long-term health, he has interviewed over 5000 torture victims from 90 countries. He returned to Cambodia from 1992 to 1993 and conducted research into landmine use. He has developed comprehensive care protocols for torture survivors, including medical, social, legal, psychological, and emotional support. In this interview, he describes, in detail, his work with torture survivors, and his efforts at advocacy for the victims. He identifies trends, and notes that in our nation of immigrants, diversity is our strength. Finally, he states that advocacy is about creating change and finding common ground, with the goal of ending torture.