IRCT REGIONAL REPORT 2016 Recommendations Identification Identification of torture victims • Member States should clearly define procedures for systematic identification of vulnerable asylum seekers, including torture victims in national asylum legislation and policy. • Measures for the identification of torture victims should be initiated as soon as an application for asylum has been received. This should be done through the application of specialised screening tools. • This identification procedure should be harmonised across the EU.37 • All staff working with torture victims (immigration officials, staff members at reception centres, social workers, NGO staff and health professionals) should be trained to recognise symptoms and signs of torture trauma. Reception Conditions Directive Rehabilitation • Torture victims should have a legal entitlement in national law to healthcare services, including psychological treatment. • Torture victims should have effective access to holistic rehabilitation services meaning (i) officials and hospital staff should know how and where to refer them; (ii) practical obstacles such as distance to rehabilitation services and the cost of transport should be removed; and (iii) torture victims should have access to information about the type and nature of rehabilitation treatment offered and be enabled to make informed decisions about their own rehabilitation. • Translation and interpretation of medical services should be available, including for consultations and prescription sheets. • Member States should continuously monitor and evaluate their provision of rehabilitation services to ensure that capacity matches the number of torture victims and their needs. Reception conditions • Member States should ensure that torture victims have access to special reception conditions that take their specific needs into consideration. Torture victims should be provided with suitable housing facilities. • Reception conditions should aim to facilitate the torture victim’s right to rehabilitation and should be conducive to supporting the person in rebuilding a life in the host country. page 43