16 A practical guide to the Istanbul Protocol – for lawyers Lawyers may also become involved in policy initiatives or advisory committees that pro- mote greater accessibility, transparency and accountability of public institutions, such as: • Commenting on reforms to national legal aid structures in order to improve torture survivor’s access to justice • Producing guidelines for distribution to detainees on their right to be free from torture, custodial safeguards and steps they may take when this right is violated; similar guidelines for custodial authorities emphasising their obligations and rights of detainees • Recommending measures to enhance the transparency of law enforcement bodies: for example, methodical documentation of reported cases of torture (allegations), analysis of the number of alleged cases against investigation and prosecution rates as well as awards of reparation; public dissemination of such statistics, imposition of time periods within which allegations of torture must be investigated and disciplinary sanctions for omissions or actions that render an investigation ineffective • Participating in training sessions for law enforcement and other security officials, including the military, on international standards in relation to the prohibition of torture • Promoting training sessions for judges on safeguards against torture, as well as on the specific role of the judiciary in preventing and punishing torture and generally on the countries’ international legal obligations on the subject.