OMCT reports obstacles to forensic medical documentation in Tunisia

There are "obstacles hindering forensic medical documentation of torture victims in Tunisia," World Organisation Against Torture Legal officer Inès Lamloum affirmed on Thursday. "Victims of this practice cannot obtain a preliminary medical certificate because of pressure exerted by security officers on emergency doctors," she denounced at a press conference in Tunis. Attended by a number of human rights activists, the press conference was dedicated to examining the The OMCT's report «TRACES OF TORTURE - The medical and forensic investigation and documentation of cases of alleged torture and other ill-treatment in Tunisia. Lamloum added in this regard, that the data included in preliminary medical certificates is often "incomplete" and provides only a brief explanation of the circumstances of the attack. In all the forensic reports examined during a field survey conducted to this end, the results do not mention any psychological after-effects suffered by the victim, nor do they provide a detailed explanati on of the circumstances of the attack, according to the victim's testimony, she regretted. For her part, Director of the "Support for Victims of Torture" programme Najla Talbi pointed out that the report is based on a sample of 61 cases. It aims to shed light on the importance of medical examinations in proving acts of torture suffered by detainees, particularly in police stations, considering that medical documentation plays a key role in combating torture and ill-treatment. She added that her programme, supported by a team of lawyers, seeks to help victims of torture and ill-treatment gain access to forensic medical reports and ensure that they are used appropriately by judges. Talbi called for an appropriate legal framework and the institutional guarantees needed to prevent violations, determine responsibilities and compensate victims. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse