
Istanbul Protocol
UNHCR 2022, 2022
UNHCR -2001, 2004, 2022 United Nations
Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
In 2001, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published the first edition of the Istanbul Protocol, which was subsequently updated in 2004. It has since been used in medico-legal and other contexts worldwide as a valuable practical tool to effectively guide the investigation and documentation of torture and ill-treatment, protection of victims and advocacy work of civil society on behalf of victims.
This new 2022 edition is based on relevant provisions of international law, it provides even more concrete, clearly defined and well-understood guidelines to assist Member States, national human rights institutions, national preventive mechanisms, civil society, legal and health professionals and other relevant experts in implementing the Istanbul Protocol standards.
Updated March 14, 2023.