3 FOREWORD Mental health professionals play a significant role not only in the treatment and rehabilitation of torture victims, but also in the prevention of torture through the psychological evaluation of alleged torture victims and reporting of the findings for use in related legal processes. The Istanbul Protocol sheds light on the different aspects of this function and provides guidance on how it may be fulfilled in practice. In spite of its international recognition among health, legal and human rights experts as well as relevant international bodies, awareness of the Istanbul Protocol is still relatively low. Only a limited number of professionals in few countries use the Istanbul Protocol on a systematic basis. For this reason further training and development of resource materials based on the Istanbul Protocol is much needed. This guide is intended as an auxiliary instrument to the Istanbul Protocol and has been developed as a source of practical reference for psychologists engaged in the investigation and documentation of cases of alleged torture. It is researched and written by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT) within a framework of partnership led by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) in collaboration with the HRFT, Physicians for Human Rights USA (PHR USA), REDRESS, and the World Medical Association. Similar guides have been developed for medical doctors, “Medical physical examination of alleged torture victims: A practical guide to the Istanbul Protocol – for medical doctors” (IRCT, 2009a) and for lawyers, “Action against torture: A practical guide to the Istanbul Protocol – for lawyers” (IRCT, 2009b). It is hoped that these materials offer insights and create synergy between the health and legal professions in a joint effort to combat torture. One of the aims of this guide is to discuss, in the light of the Istanbul Protocol, significant points and frequently asked questions, and to point out critical situations that the clinician might face in practice during the psychological evaluation of alleged torture victims. It also aims to provide some complementary considerations and underline various issues addressed in the Protocol. The Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in popular terms the Istanbul Protocol, contains the first set of internationally recognised standards for the effective examination, investigation and reporting of allegations of torture and ill-treatment. It was drafted by more than 75 experts in law, health and human rights during three years of collective effort involving more than 40 different organisations including the IRCT. The extensive work was initiated and coordinated by the HRFT and the PHR USA. Since its inception in 1999 the Istanbul Protocol has been endorsed and promoted by the UN and other key human rights bodies. It exists in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.