What is it about?
The article examines the use of the Istanbul Protocol in Israel, especially after its revised version was released in 2022. The Protocol sets international standards for documenting torture and ill-treatment. Based on expert discussions and workshops, the authors describe how Israeli courts and authorities often reject Protocol-based reports in torture complaints, even when they are carefully prepared. Common reasons include doubts about survivors’ testimonies, time delays, and misunderstandings of medical evidence. The paper also highlights situations where the Protocol has been more successful, such as helping asylum seekers, and discusses challenges faced by health professionals documenting abuse in everyday medical settings.
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Why is it important?
Torture survivors depend on strong medical and legal documentation to seek justice. This article shows how ignoring such evidence weakens accountability and protection of human rights. Understanding these barriers helps professionals improve documentation practices and encourages systems to better respect international standards meant to prevent abuse.
Perspectives
The article conveys the frustration of professionals who invest time, care, and expertise into documenting torture, only to see their work dismissed. It also highlights the emotional cost to survivors who must repeatedly tell painful stories without seeing results. Still, the authors express commitment to continuing this work. Drawing parallels with progress made in other areas, like sexual violence cases, they suggest that long-term persistence can slowly shift legal attitudes and improve recognition of survivors’ rights.
Dr. Daniel J.N. Weishut
Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The use of the Istanbul Protocol in Israel: Insights at the reception of the revised (2022) version, Torture Journal, August 2023, Aarhus University Library,
DOI: 10.7146/torture.v33i2.136128.
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