PHR Toolkits
Physicians for Human Rights Tools & Resources
Skip to content
  • Home
  • Toolkits
    • Asylum and Detention
    • Essential Medicines
    • Health & Human Rights Education
    • Health Access in Massachusetts
    • International Forensic Investigation Course
    • Istanbul Protocol Model Medical Curriculum
    • Medical Neutrality Protection Act
    • Medical Professionalism
    • Student Chapter Toolkit
  • Categories
    • Subjects
    • Issues
    • Uses
  • Downloads & Materials
    • Campaign Specific
    • Forms & Letters
    • Letterhead & Stationery
    • Logos & Graphics
    • Model Curriculum
    • Posters & Stickers
    • Slideshows & Media
    • General/Other
  • Resources & Links
    • Physicians for Human Rights
    • National Student Program
    • Articles
    • Books
    • Reports
    • Social Media
    • Networks, Groups & Forums
    • Online Tools
    • Important Organizations
    • Blogs of Interest
    • Relevant Websites
  • PHR
  • Contact
Other monitoring mechanisms
International criminal courts and tribunals
Toolkits > Istanbul Protocol Model Medical Curriculum > Module 1: International Legal Standards (Overview) > International Supervisory Machinery and Complaints Procedures > The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment

The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Printable Page Printable Page

Established in 1985 by the UN Commission on Human Rights, this mandate is a non-treaty, “UN Charter-based” body, the purpose of which is to examine international practise relating to torture in any state regardless of any treaty the state may be bound by. On the basis of information received, the Special Rapporteur can communicate with governments and request their comments on cases that are raised. He or she can also make use of an “urgent action” procedure, requesting a government to ensure that a particular person, or group of persons, are treated humanely. The Special Rapporteur can also conduct visits if invited, or given permission, by a state to do so. The reports of these missions are usually issued as addenda to the main report of the Special Rapporteur to the UN Commission on Human Rights.

The Special Rapporteur reports annually and publicly to the UN Commission on Human Rights and to the UN General Assembly. The reports to the Commission contain summaries of all correspondence transmitted to governments by the Special Rapporteur and of correspondence received from governments. The reports may also include general observations about the problem of torture in specific countries, but do not contain conclusions on individual torture allegations. The reports may address specific issues or developments that influence or are conducive to torture in the world, offering general conclusions and recommendations.

Other monitoring mechanisms
International criminal courts and tribunals
Printable Page Printable Page
  • Search

  • Istanbul Protocol Model Medical Curriculum

    • Preface
      • Copyright and Acknowledgements
      • Resources
      • Glossary
    • Introduction
      • Curriculum Materials
      • Summary of Content
      • How to Use These Educational Resources
    • Module 1: International Legal Standards (Overview)
      • Torture
        • What is Torture
        • Purpose of Torture
        • History of Torture
        • Other Definitions
        • Cruel Inhuman & Degrading Treatment & Punishment (CID)
        • Prohibition of Torture in International Law
        • The United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1984
        • Torture in the World Today
        • Country-Specific Legal Standards and Torture Practices
        • The Perpetrators
        • Common Situations for Torture Allegations
        • Where Does Torture and Ill-treatment Occur?
        • Obligation to Investigate and Bring Justice
        • Formal Inspection of Detention Facilities
        • Official Complaints to Human Rights Bodies and Other Organizations
        • Recently Released Detainees
        • NGO Information Gathering
        • Late Allegations
      • Prevention and Accountability
        • Prevention
        • Accountability
        • Reparation
      • International Supervisory Machinery and Complaints Procedures
        • The Human Rights Committee
        • The UN Committee against Torture
        • Regional Mechanisms
        • Other monitoring mechanisms
        • The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
        • International criminal courts and tribunals
        • The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
      • Safeguards Against Torture for Those Deprived of Their Liberty
        • Notifying people of their rights
        • Use of officially recognized places of detention and the maintenance of effective custody records
        • Avoiding incommunicado detention
        • Humane conditions of detention
        • Limits on interrogation
        • Access to a lawyer and respect for the functions of a lawyer
        • Access to a doctor
        • The right to challenge the lawfulness of detention
        • Safeguards for special categories of detainees
      • Module 1 Presentation: International Legal Standards
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 1 Answers
    • Module 2: Istanbul Protocol Standards for Medical Documentation of Torture and Medical Ethics
      • The Istanbul Protocol
        • About the Istanbul Protocol
        • Brief History
        • International Recognition of the Istanbul Protocol
      • An Overview of the Istanbul Protocol
        • Legal Investigation of Torture
        • General Considerations for Interviews
        • Physical Evidence of Torture
        • Psychological Evidence of Torture
        • Interpretation of Findings and Referrals
        • Misuse of the Istanbul Protocol
        • Procedural Safeguards for Detainees
      • Medical Ethics
        • Introduction
        • Duties of the health professional
        • International Codes
        • Ethical rules directly prohibiting involvement in torture
        • Primary loyalty to the patient
        • Dual Obligations
        • The treatment of prisoners and detainees
        • Issues surrounding examinations of individuals in the presence of security forces
        • Abusive medical treatment
        • Consent and confidentiality
        • Security
        • Involvement of other health professionals in torture
        • Seeking further information and support
        • Country-specific legal responsibilities of health professionals for forensic documentation of torture and ill-treatment
      • General Guidelines for Gathering Evidence and Documenting Findings
        • The aims and goals of investigation
        • Multidisciplinary approach to documentation
        • Role of the health professional in the team
        • Role of the lawyer in the team
        • Role of the NGO member in the team
        • Role of judges and prosecutors
      • Documenting the allegations
        • The aim of medical documentation
        • Types of evidence
        • Medical evidence
        • Gathering of evidence
        • Essential information
        • Quality of information
        • Comparing records
      • Module 2 Presentation: Istanbul Protocol Standards for Medical Documentation of Torture and Medical Ethics
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 2 Answers
    • Module 3: Interview Considerations
      • Preliminary Considerations
        • Purpose of Medical Evaluations
        • Interview Settings
        • Trust
        • Informed Consent
        • Confidentiality
        • Privacy
        • Empathy
        • Objectivity
        • Safety and Security
        • Procedural Safeguards for Detainees
        • Risk of Re-traumatisation
        • Gender Considerations
        • Interviewing Children
        • Cultural and Religious Awareness
        • Working with Interpreters
        • Transference and Counter-Transference Reactions
      • Conducting Interviews
        • Types of questions
        • Cognitive Techniques
        • Summarising and clarifying
        • Difficulties Recalling and Recounting
        • Assessing Inconsistencies
      • Interview Content
        • Identification and Introduction
        • Psychosocial History (Pre-Arrest)
        • Past Medical History
        • Summary of Detention(s) and Abuse
        • Circumstances of Detention(s)
        • Prison/Detention Place Conditions
        • Allegations of Torture and Ill-treatment
        • Review of Symptoms
        • Psychosocial History (post-arrest)
        • Assessments of Physical and Psychological Evidence
        • Physical Examination
        • Closing
        • Indications for Referral
      • Module 3 Presentation: Interview Considerations
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 3 Answers
    • Module 4: Torture Methods and their Medical Consequences
      • Introduction
      • Torture Methods
        • Beatings/Falanga
        • Ear Trauma
        • Eye Trauma
        • Restraint, Shackling and Positional Torture
        • Suspension
        • Crushing and Stretching Injuries
        • Burning
        • Electrical injuries
        • Asphyxiation
        • Violent Shaking
        • Sexual Assault
        • Sexual Humiliation
        • Prolonged Isolation and Sensory Deprivation
        • Sleep Deprivation
        • Temperature Manipulation
        • Sensory Bombardment
        • Threats of Harm
      • Psychological Consequences of Torture
        • Introduction
        • The Paradox of Psychological Consequences of Torture
        • The Psychological Consequences of Torture
        • Social, Political and Cultural Context
        • Risk factors for Trauma and Torture-Related Disorders
        • Psychological Symptoms
      • Module 4 Presentation: Torture Methods and their Medical Consequences
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 4 Answers
    • Module 5: Physical Evidence of Torture and Ill-Treatment
      • Physical Evidence of Torture
        • Medical history
      • The Physical Examination
        • Dermatologic Evaluation
        • Head and Neck
        • Chest and Abdomen
        • Musculoskeletal System
      • Neurological Examination
        • Head Trauma and Post-traumatic Epilepsy
        • Nerve Damage
      • Examination of Women
        • Examination Following a Recent Assault
        • Examination After the Immediate Phase
        • Follow-up
        • Genital Examination of Women
      • Genital Examination of Men
      • Perianal Examination
      • Medical Photography
        • Assessment for Referral
      • Diagnostic Tests
      • Module 5 Presentation: Physical Evidence of Torture and Ill-Treatment
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 5 Answers
    • Module 6: Psychological Evidence of Torture and Ill-Treatment
      • The Central Role of the Psychological Evaluation
        • Conducting the Psychological Evaluation
        • Psychological Findings and Diagnostic Considerations
        • Components of the Psychological/Psychiatric Evaluation
      • Children and Torture
        • Introduction
        • Developmental Considerations
        • Clinical Considerations
        • Role of the Family
      • Apendix I: Sample Psychological Evaluations
        • Psychological Evaluation #1
        • Psychological Evaluation #2
      • Apendix II: ICD-10
      • Module 6 Presentation: Psychological Evidence of Torture and Ill-Treatment
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 6 Answers
    • Module 7: Case Example #01
      • Introduction
      • Preliminary Considerations
      • Materials
      • Module 7 Presentation: Case Example #01
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 7 Answers
    • Module 8: Case Example #02
      • Introduction
      • Preliminary Considerations
      • Materials
      • Module 8 Presentation: Case Example #02
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 8 Answers
    • Module 9: Report Writing and Testifying in Court
      • Written Reports
        • General Considerations
        • Content of Written Reports
        • Conclusions
        • Inconsistencies
      • Providing Testimony in Court
      • Appendix: Court Testimony Guidelines and Maxims
      • Module 9 Presentation: Report Writing and Testifying in Court
      • Self-Assessment and Quiz
        • Module 9 Answers
  • Twitter Flickr Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Change.org
  • Toolkit Administration

    • Register
    • Log in
  • PHR Links

    • Physicians for Human Rights
    • About PHR
    • Blog
    • Press Room
    • Library
    • Student Program
    • Donate
    • Join
    • Subscribe
    • Take Action
    • Contact
  • RSS Press Releases

    • Wave of new warrants, arrests, and attacks on Myanmar health workers must stop: PHR
    • PHR Medical and Mental Health Experts Find that Protestors Experienced Individual and Collective Trauma from NYPD Attack in the Bronx in June 2020
    • U.S. Lifting Sanctions on ICC Staff ‘A Bare Minimum Step’ Towards Improved Engagement with the Court: PHR
    • International Criminal Court Upholds Landmark Conviction of Warlord for Atrocities Committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • Myanmar Military Targets Doctors and Besieges Civilians in Deadliest Day of Crackdown to Date: PHR
  • RSS Blog

    • Wave of new warrants, arrests, and attacks on Myanmar health workers must stop: PHR
    • PHR Medical and Mental Health Experts Find that Protestors Experienced Individual and Collective Trauma from NYPD Attack in the Bronx in June 2020
    • U.S. Lifting Sanctions on ICC Staff ‘A Bare Minimum Step’ Towards Improved Engagement with the Court: PHR
    • International Criminal Court Upholds Landmark Conviction of Warlord for Atrocities Committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • Myanmar Military Targets Doctors and Besieges Civilians in Deadliest Day of Crackdown to Date: PHR
  • RSS In the News

    • Wave of new warrants, arrests, and attacks on Myanmar health workers must stop: PHR
    • PHR Medical and Mental Health Experts Find that Protestors Experienced Individual and Collective Trauma from NYPD Attack in the Bronx in June 2020
    • U.S. Lifting Sanctions on ICC Staff ‘A Bare Minimum Step’ Towards Improved Engagement with the Court: PHR
    • International Criminal Court Upholds Landmark Conviction of Warlord for Atrocities Committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • Myanmar Military Targets Doctors and Besieges Civilians in Deadliest Day of Crackdown to Date: PHR

Physicians for Human Rights, 2 Arrow Street, Suite 301, Cambridge, MA 02138  |  Tel 617.301.4200  |  Fax 617.301.4250
© Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) 2010