UK embassies to highlight worldwide use of torture

A new handbook encouraging the investigation and documentation of state-sanctioned torture in the hope of preventing further abuse is to be distributed to health professionals world-wide through Britain's embassies and diplomatic missions.

The book "Medical Investigation and Documentation of Torture", which has been financed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is intended to raise awareness of the use of torture and the wounds, both physical and psychological, that it leaves on its victims. It advises doctors and other health workers on the most appropriate way of examining a person who has been tortured and looks at the uses to which the effective documentation of injuries can be put, including battling impunity, helping prosecute perpetrators, seeking redress for survivors, and helping asylum seekers substantiate their accounts of persecution.

The book, published by the University of Essex's Human Rights Centre (HRC), is written by Dr Michael Peel, a consultant at British charity the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (MF) together with Noam Lubell, a senior researcher at HRC and Dr Jonathan Beynon, co-ordinator for health in detention at the International Committee of the Red Cross.

FCO minister with responsibility for human rights Ian McCartney will launch the book at a Foreign Office press conference on Monday June 26 to coincide with UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

Sherman Carroll, Public Affairs Director of the MF says, " Contributing to the handbook is just one part of the work the Medical Foundation is doing to educate the public and decision-makers about torture and its consequences. Were also launching several new features on our website www.torturecare.org.uk that highlight the plight of being a torture survivor. "

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