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Proving torture

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20 October 2015 / Rosalyn Akar Grams
Issue: 7673 / Categories: Opinion
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Rosalyn Akar Grams reflects on the ever-rising bar for medical evidence in asylum claims

The 1999 Istanbul Protocol (IP) was the culmination of three years work involving over 75 forensic doctors, psychologists, human rights monitors and lawyers, representing 40 organisations (including Freedom from Torture, then The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture) and institutions from 15 states.

The IP is a rigorous international guideline, endorsed by the UN, for the effective investigation and documentation of torture. It underpins the clinical objectivity and probative value of medical evidence. Its applicability is broad including international justice and civil claims for survivors of torture.

Domestic context

However, in the domestic context its use has been focused on asylum claims where it is applied by decision-makers when assessing medical evidence. Its valuable role has been confirmed in a number of cases (SA Somalia v SSHD [2006] EWCA Civ 1302, [2006] All ER (D) 103 (Oct), JL (medical reports—credibility) China [2013] UKUT 00145 (IAC)).

The collection of forensic evidence of torture and the production of medico-legal

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