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Solitary confinement 2011, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Negative health effects can occur after only a few days in solitary confinement, and the health risks rise with each additional day spent in such conditions. Experts who have examined the impact of solitary confinement have found three common elements that are inherently present in solitary confinement - social isolation, minimal environmental stimulation and "minimal opportunity for social interaction". Research further shows that solitary confinement appears to cause "psychotic disturbances," a syndrome that has been described as "prison psychoses". Symptoms can include anxiety, depression, anger, cognitive disturbances, perceptual distortions, paranoia and psychosis and self-harm (see annex for a comprehensive list of symptoms).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- To promote the value and use of medical documentation of torture and broaden the level of implementation of the international standards contained in the Istanbul Protocol, a new initiative has been launched. The Istanbul Protocol Plan of Action is spear-headed by civil society organizations (the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, Physicians for Human Rights, Redress and Human Rights Foundation Turkey). The Special Rapporteur supports this initiative, which seeks formal State recognition of the Istanbul Protocol so that administrative, legislative, judicial and independent human rights authorities adopt and apply the Protocol.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Impunity as a root cause of the prevalence of torture 2010, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- With regard to the first element of the definition (causing severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental), both Georgia and Togo limit their definitions to physical pain. The legislation of Jordan only partly covers the aspect of mental pain or suffering. The definition in Paraguay makes torture very difficult to prove, as it requires the intent to destroy or seriously damage the personality of the victim, hence excluding many acts that would be considered as torture under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 68d
- Paragraph text
- [Recommendations regarding the effective investigation of allegations of torture or other ill-treatment:] Ensure the application of the Istanbul and Minnesota Protocols when performing forensic autopsies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- When medical examinations are legally permitted by investigators, prosecutors or penitentiary authorities, these authorities have ample opportunity to delay action so that any injuries have healed by the time such an examination is conducted. During country visits the Special Rapporteur observed that the practice of judges or prosecutors promptly ordering a medical examination on their own initiative or in response to indications of abuse is rare.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Although it may be challenging to satisfy the required purpose of discrimination in some cases, as most likely it will be claimed that the treatment is intended to benefit the "patient", this may be met in a number of ways. Specifically, the description of abuses outlined below demonstrates that the explicit or implicit aim of inflicting punishment, or the objective of intimidation, often exist alongside ostensibly therapeutic aims.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
The scope and objective of the exclusionary rule in judicial proceedings and in relation to acts by executive actors 2014, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- While normative guidelines must be developed and clarified where they exist, additional safeguards may be taken into consideration to encourage compliance with international law when using information that may have been obtained by torture or other ill-treatment.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Impunity as a root cause of the prevalence of torture 2010, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- In addition to their therapeutic role, rehabilitation centres in third countries provide medical records which may also be important when it comes to holding foreign perpetrators accountable, for example through universal jurisdiction proceedings. Furthermore, they fulfil an important role in the development of capacity and the dissemination of state of the art methods of treatment, for example through the training of domestic health professionals or other staff from centres in less affluent countries.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Gender perspectives on torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment 2016, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- Female genital mutilation has severely negative health consequences, including risk of death; has no documented health benefits; causes severe stress and shock, anxiety and depression; and has long-lasting, negative health consequences including higher risks of post-partum haemorrhage and other obstetric complications.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- As observed by the Special Rapporteur, unaccountability is often the result of there being available only very basic levels of expertise in forensic services, and sometimes their non-existence, which means that medical examinations, if carried out at all, are conducted by poorly trained doctors or nurses. In general, there is a shortage of qualified forensic experts regarding torture or other ill-treatment. In some countries, the education and specialization of forensic professionals includes training in the examination of alleged torture victims, but if the violations are widespread, these experts cannot adequately address the needs.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- The conceptualization of abuses in health-care settings as torture or ill-treatment is a relatively recent phenomenon. In the present section, the Special Rapporteur embraces this ongoing paradigm shift, which increasingly encompasses various forms of abuse in health-care settings within the discourse on torture. He demonstrates that, while the prohibition of torture may have originally applied primarily in the context of interrogation, punishment or intimidation of a detainee, the international community has begun to recognize that torture may also occur in other contexts.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 16
- Paragraph text
- The analysis of abuse in health-care settings through the lens of torture and ill-treatment is based on the definition of these violations provided by the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its authoritative interpretations. In order to demonstrate how abusive practices in health-care settings meet the definition of torture, the following section provides an overview of the main elements of the definition of torture.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Torture, ill-treatment and coercion during interviews/ Universal protocol for non-coercive, ethically sound, evidence-based and empirically founded interviewing practices 2016, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- The protocol must also emphasize States' obligations to take measures to incorporate relevant standards into their national systems, promote its use across national institutions and provide training to relevant personnel, including prosecutors, defence lawyers, judges, law enforcement, intelligence and military officials and medical professionals.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- While different aspects of torture and ill-treatment in health-care settings have been previously explored by the rapporteurship and other United Nations mechanisms, the Special Rapporteur feels that there is a need to highlight the specific dimension and intensity of the problem, which often goes undetected; identify abuses that exceed the scope of violations of the right to health and could amount to torture and ill-treatment; and strengthen accountability and redress mechanisms.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 2
- Paragraph text
- The prohibition of torture is one of the few absolute and non-derogable human rights, a matter of jus cogens, a peremptory norm of customary international law. Examining abuses in health-care settings from a torture protection framework provides the opportunity to solidify an understanding of these violations and to highlight the positive obligations that States have to prevent, prosecute and redress such violations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- Mistreatment in health-care settings has received little specific attention by the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, as the denial of health-care has often been understood as essentially interfering with the "right to health".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Notwithstanding the commitment to scale-up methadone treatment and evidence-based treatment as opposed to punitive approaches, those remanded to compulsory treatment in the punitive drug-free centres continue to exceed, exponentially, the number receiving evidence-based treatment for drug dependence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 1
- Paragraph text
- The preceding examples of torture and ill-treatment in health-care settings likely represent a small fraction of this global problem. Such interventions always amount at least to inhuman and degrading treatment, often they arguably meet the criteria for torture, and they are always prohibited by international law.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 8d
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur calls upon all States to:] Ensure that all harm-reduction measures and drug-dependence treatment services, particularly opioid substitution therapy, are available to people who use drugs, in particular those among incarcerated populations (A/65/255, para. 76).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 74c
- Paragraph text
- [Recommendations regarding promoting medical documentation and the application of the Istanbul Protocol as a standard:] Ensure that powers of the "investigative authority" are enshrined in legislation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- Prosecutors and courts should not be limited to evaluating reports from officially accredited experts, irrespective of their institutional affiliation. Criminal procedure must ensure that reports of a non-government health professional may be accepted as evidence of torture or other ill-treatment in Court. In addition, non-State health experts should be encouraged to review State examinations and to conduct their own independent assessments; these assessments should be given the weight they deserve on their merits. Courts should neither rule out non-State experts nor award State expert testimony more weight based solely on their "official" status. Regarding required expertise, it must be determined on its merits. In that regard, independence and objectivity are a primary concern. The State will usually have more resources and be in a privileged position to examine victims. Those facts must be considered alongside the degree of independence and impartiality such experts enjoy, as well as the obstacles that non-State experts might face in gaining access to and procuring evidence. The presumption must be that the State has to account for its own action or inaction and its inability to protect the rights of persons in custody. It is the State's obligation to rebut allegations, and to show that it has conducted truly effective investigations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- During country visits, the Special Rapporteur observed that, in addition to the lack of competent forensic experts and health professionals, the legal profession often lacks capacity and knowledge to apply such evidence adequately. One reason for the low impact of forensic reports on torture is the gap between scientists and judicial authorities. Prosecutors and judges are often unable to evaluate adequately forensic evidence because of its complexity or often substitute their own reasoning for that of the expert's. This constitutes a major limitation to the effectiveness of forensic evidence and can only be eliminated through the training of judges and prosecutors on the effective forensic documentation of torture and other ill-treatment and on evidence that can be used in legal proceedings. Specifically, prosecutors and judges, as well as health professionals, must be trained on the Istanbul Protocol and other relevant materials. In addition, it is key to bring together authorities and civil society representatives with established forensic experts to promote forensic capacity-building and professional development.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Torture, ill-treatment and coercion during interviews/ Universal protocol for non-coercive, ethically sound, evidence-based and empirically founded interviewing practices 2016, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- The questioning of persons is a specialist task that requires specific training in order to be performed successfully and in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism. The protocol must insist on the importance of adequate and regular training for law enforcement and other personnel involved in the questioning of persons (see A/HRC/4/33/Add.3 and CAT/C/USA/CO/2).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 74d
- Paragraph text
- [Recommendations regarding promoting medical documentation and the application of the Istanbul Protocol as a standard:] Allocate sufficient budgetary and technical resources to the "investigative authority";
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 73e
- Paragraph text
- [Recommendations regarding judicial recognition and evaluation of forensic evidence in cases involving torture:] Encourage independent health experts to review State examinations and to conduct their own independent assessments;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 74a
- Paragraph text
- [Recommendations regarding promoting medical documentation and the application of the Istanbul Protocol as a standard:] Endorse and support the Istanbul Protocol Plan of Action for the effective implementation of the Istanbul Protocol;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 74b
- Paragraph text
- [Recommendations regarding promoting medical documentation and the application of the Istanbul Protocol as a standard:] Establish an "investigative authority" with guarantees of independence, efficiency and effectiveness and with powers to investigate sua sponte allegations of torture in accordance with the Istanbul Protocol;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- At least four essential elements are reflected in the definition of torture provided in article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention against Torture: an act inflicting severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental; the element of intent; the specific purpose; and the involvement of a State official, at least by acquiescence (A/HRC/13/39/Add.5, para. 30). Acts falling short of this definition may constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under article 16 of the Convention (A/63/175, para. 46). The previous Special Rapporteurs have covered in great detail the main components of the definition of torture. Nevertheless, there are a few salient points worth elaborating for the purpose of the present report.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Impunity as a root cause of the prevalence of torture 2010, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- In addition, one of the practices observed by the Special Rapporteur was that in some countries, such as Sri Lanka, reparations are used as a substitute for prosecution. That is, if the victim received compensation or another form of reparation, the case was closed and no further criminal proceedings were pursued. Although, in many instances, victims may be in need of money to pay for medical treatment or legal fees, compensation should not be used as a substitute for prosecution.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Solitary confinement 2011, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- There is a lack of research into the latent effects of solitary confinement. While the acute effects of solitary confinement generally recede after the period of solitary confinement ends, some of the negative health effects are long term. The minimal stimulation experienced during solitary confinement can lead to a decline in brain activity in individuals after seven days. One study found that "up to seven days, the [brain activity] decline is reversible, but if deprived over a long period this may not be the case".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
30 shown of 30 entities