“ Forensic medical science allows torture allegations to be corroborated and is instrumental in countering the emerging loopholes facilitating impunity. The Istanbul Protocol of 1999 set an indispensable standard in this regard. — Manfred Nowak, former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture History of the Istanbul Protocol Initiated and coordinated by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT) and Physicians for Human Rights USA, the Istanbul Protocol was developed by 75 experts from more than 40 organisations, including the IRCT. It was submitted to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights in 1999 and has since been referenced in numerous international documents and been applied in legal proceedings at national and regional courts. The initial steps to work on a manual for the investigation and documentation of torture were taken at an international meeting in 1996 organised by the Turkish Medical Association and were inspired by the daily needs and practices experienced by the HRFT and the Society of Forensic Medicine Specialists in Turkey. In particular, the efforts to investigate the death of Baki Erdogan during custody became a decisive factor. Baki Erdogan died during his 11th day in custody 4 International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims after having been transferred to the state hospital in Turkey. The autopsy and official forensic report stated that as a result of a ten-day hunger strike that he died of acute pulmonary oedema. The Turkish Medical Association carried out an independent investigation and submitted an alternative medical report, which disclosed numerous flaws in the autopsy and medical assessment made by the official medical experts. In light of the collected evidence and other findings, the cause of death was determined to be Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a result of the use of torture. The Istanbul Protocol is published by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in its Professional Training Series in the six official UN languages. It has also been translated into a number of other languages.