Torture can leave a lasting impact on a survivor's physical and mental health. The Convention Against Torture provides victims with the right to seek redress and compensation. Survivors also have the right to access rehabilitation services. 

The exclusion of evidence obtained through torture and the prosecution of perpetrators are essential if the freedom from torture is to become a reality. In China, lawyers encounter huge difficulties in requesting investigations into allegations of torture. Doctors in detention centres are not independent and lawyers have limited access to relevant evidence. 

China has no experienced providers of appropriate rehabilitation services for torture survivors and forensic medical examiners are unfamiliar with the effects of psychological torture.

We have been helping to raise awareness among lawyers of the impact of post traumatic stress disorder to ensure lawyers are able to interview clients effectively and with empathy. We have also been helping to promote understanding of the Istanbul Protocol which sets out international standards on the investigation and documentation of torture.  

Previous page image by Neil Young