In all the three cases, the victimized individuals declared that they had been tortured or ill-treated an submitted petitions to obtain legal representation, but refused to make further appeals to law enforcement agencies. This might be explained by the fact that they were satisfied by the court decisions that terminated criminal cases against them or by the fact that non-custodial penalty was determined. Six applications to institute criminal proceedings were denied by prosecutors’ offices. These decisions were appealed in court. At present, these cases remain under court review at various levels. Progress on the other reports of torture and ill-treatment is being tracked by project-sponsored lawyers. 5.2.3. USE OF INTERNATIONAL MECHANISMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION The Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic provides that, in accordance with international treaties, every individual has the right to appeal to international bodies on human rights to protect his violated rights. In cases where such bodies confirm the violation, the Kyrgyz Republic shall take measures to restore the violated right and/or monetarily compensate the victim.275 During the implementation of the project, four communications regarding the facts of torture and ill-treatment were sent to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. 5.3. REHABILITATION OF TORTURE VICTIMS Torture not only leaves lasting physical traces in people’s lives, but also has severe psychological consequences. In contrast to physical traces, which can be impossible to trace years after the fact, the negative consequences of torture on a victim’s psyche can manifest long after the traumatic event—after months and even years. Evidence and the diagnostics of torture’s psychological consequences play an important role in documenting methods of torture that do not leave physical traces. For this reason, one of the most crucial objectives of the project was to provide rehabilitation services for victims of torture and ill-treatment. Implementation of the third component on rehabilitation, which included activities on providing medical, psychological, and social services to victims of torture, was assigned to the Rehabilitation Centre for Protection of Victims of Torture, which was established under the PF “Golos Svobody” in 2007 (hereinafter referred to as “the rehabilitation centre”).276 International standards for rehabilitation programs recommend the participation of experts, such as physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and medical specialists, in gathering information and developing medical diagnostics on alleged torture. Eight staff members, including a social worker, a psychologist, two psychotherapists, three physicians, and a case-manager, were involved in the activities of the Rehabilitation Centre with regard to this project. When working with victims of torture staff of the Centre followed such universal principles as:  Rigorously adherence to the principle of confidentiality;  Professional impartiality and self-sufficiency;  Obtaining informed consent. 275 KR Constitution, art.41, part.2 The Rehabilitation Centre was established with support from UN voluntary fund to support victims of torture and International Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture. 276 86