Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights

The Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights is a non-governmental organization that has been supporting survivors of human rights violations, defending fundamental freedoms, and promoting democratic values in Iraq, Kurdistan-Iraq, and Syria since its founding in 2005.

The Jiyan Foundation strives for a democratic society where human dignity is protected, adults and children enjoy their rights to life and freedom, and citizens are safe from torture and terror. The organization's work is based on the core values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and promotes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or religious affiliation[2][4][5].

The Jiyan Foundation provides comprehensive support for survivors of violence and human rights violations, including:

• Psychotherapeutic Support: Free psychotherapeutic assistance, including individual and group sessions, art therapy, and EMDR therapy.
• Medical Treatment: Medical care and treatment of chronic illnesses.
• Social-Legal Counseling: Legal advice and support for social reintegration.
• Mobile Teams: Mobile teams operating in refugee and displaced persons camps in remote areas[1][3][4].

The organization operates nine therapeutic treatment centers, a clinic for Yezidi women and children, a healing garden, and offers programs in eleven refugee and displaced persons camps as well as in nine regions in Kurdistan-Iraq, Iraq, and Syria. Since its founding, the Jiyan Foundation has supported over 100,000 survivors of trauma, terror, domestic violence, and human rights violations[2][3].

The Jiyan Foundation actively works to prevent future violence and human rights violations through:

• Political Advocacy: Political lobbying to protect the rights of survivors.
• Human Rights Education: Educational programs to raise awareness of human rights.
• Public Awareness: Public awareness campaigns to sensitize society to the needs of survivors.
• Professional Training and Research: Continuous improvement of the quality of work through training and research[1][4][5].

The Jiyan Foundation was founded by Salah Ahmad, a child and family therapist trained in Germany. Ahmad, who has personal experience with flight and exile, returned to Iraq after the fall of the Saddam regime and opened the first rehabilitation center for torture victims there. His years of experience have significantly contributed to the establishment of psychotherapy and trauma treatment in Iraq[2].

The Jiyan Foundation works closely with local and international organizations to achieve its goals and improve the living conditions of survivors. Through its comprehensive programs and initiatives, the Jiyan Foundation makes an important contribution to the promotion of human rights and democratic values in the region.

• 1 - https://www.globalgiving.org/donate/67381/jiyan-foundation-for-human-rights/
• 2 - https://jiyan.org/our-work/
• 3 - https://jiyan.org
• 4 - https://grassrootsjusticenetwork.org/connect/organization/jiyan-foundation-for-human-rights/
• 5 - https://www.now-map.org/organisation/jiyan_foundation_for_human_rights