Grant call for local anti-torture organisations in Pakistan

As a part of the United Against Torture Consortium (UATC), launched in 2023 by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and five other major anti-torture organisations - the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), the International Federation of ACATs (FIACAT), the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), Omega Research Foundation and REDRESS – the OMCT will provide targeted and strategic support to local anti-torture organisations in Pakistan to increase the impact and reach of their work, foster their sustainability and resilience in response to adversity, and stimulate the growth of the movement.

The UATC is funded by the European Union (EU).

ABOUT THE OMCT

The OMCT works with around 200 member organisations, which constitute its SOS-Torture Network, to end torture, fight impunity and protect human rights defenders worldwide. The SOS-Torture Network is the largest global group actively standing up to torture in more than 75 countries. Helping local voices be heard, the OMCT supports its field partners and directly assists victims. The international secretariat of the OMCT is based in Geneva, with offices in Brussels and Tunis.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

With the financial support of the EU, the OMCT will support the initiatives of Pakistan-based organisations seeking to contribute to the documentation on treatment conditions of Afghan human rights defenders (HRDs), activists, journalists, and other at-risk individuals by Pakistani law enforcement and migration authorities.

The total amount available for this project is 10,000 EUR.

SCOPES OF APPLICATION AND METHODOLOGY

Pakistan hosts a large Afghan population, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and HRDs fleeing persecution. Under the UN Convention against Torture (CAT), to which Pakistan is a State Party, authorities are bound by the principle of non-refoulement which prohibits the return or expulsion of anyone to a country where they risk torture or ill-treatment.

The situation in Pakistan for Afghan migrant and refugees has been worsened since October 2023, when the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Pakistan released their “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” (IRFP) to deport undocumented immigrants.

On 31 July 2025, Pakistan confirmed the extension of the deadline to deport Afghan refugees to September 1, including those that holds Proof of Registration cards. Forced mass returns are particularly concerning for women and girls[1] and human rights defenders and other activist voices. There are concerns[2] about arbitrary arrests, harassment, detention, ill-treatment and deportation of Afghans, including HRDs, in violation of these obligations, which will put them in immediate risk of human rights violations.

The OMCT aims to support the civil society organisations to effectively participate in the documentation of information of lived experiences from affected persons of treatment received, assessing compliance with Pakistan’s national and international obligation.

Applicant organisations should submit proposals, which may include the following actions:

1. Primary data collection through interviews or field documentation with Afghan HRDs and affected persons.
2. Preparing an analytical report (approx. 20 pages) summarizing findings, trend and patterns of treatment by law enforcement and migration authorities and assessing compliance with Pakistan’s national and international obligations.

The proposed activities must be implemented by 31 March 2026. OMCT may provide technical advice and/or participate in implementing the proposed activities. Please, indicate in the application form if OMCT advice/participation is expected.

All tasks and actions should:

> Promote participatory and inclusive methodology and decision-making among anti-torture organisations;

> Assess appropriate safeguards for the safety of participating individuals/organisations.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• The applicant must be a registered civil society group, organisation and/or coalition in Pakistan.
• Demonstrated experience in human rights documentation, research, or legal aid related to refugees, migrants, or HRDs.
• Ability to conduct field research and gather primary data in a sensitive and secure manner.
• Commitment to ensuring victim and survivor-centered approach, confidentiality, victim consent, and security in data collection and reporting

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applications made jointly by more than one organisation will be considered. In this case, it is necessary to identify a main applicant organisation. The main applicant organisation will manage financial resources and promptly present narrative and financial reports. The division of tasks between the applicant organisations should be specified in the application. Personnel from the organisation/organisations/consultants may be hired to carry out the activities identified in the call.

One application (individual or joint) will be selected and supported based on an evaluation with indicators considering the eligibility criteria and the proposal's substance, scope and methodology.

Applications (available here) should be emailed to partners_support@omct.org. The deadline is 28 November 2025.

To have your application considered, please send an email mentioning “Grant Call UATC – Pakistan” as a subject.

This Open Call for financing country projects has been made possible with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). They can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.