NCHR has adopted this manual which aims to consolidate the
Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (The Istanbul Protocol), an official UN document,
along with Preventing Torture: An Operational Guide for
National Human Rights Institutions, a joint publication of the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR), the Association for the Prevention of Torture
(APT) and the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights
Institutions (APF). This document aims to lay the groundwork
for guidelines on interviewing victims of torture and guidelines
for the documentation of torture.
Impact of Inquiry:
Chief Justice Minallah lauded the inquiry report as a detailed and comprehensive look into the true
face of the prison system in Pakistan, likening Adiala Jail to a concentration camp rather than a
reformatory institution, where “justice is denied to the weak and vulnerable because the prevailing
system allows its exploitation by the privileged and those who wield influence.”
The IHC court order directed that NCHR’s Inquiry report be published and shared with the Prime
Minister and members of the Federal Cabinet, as well as the Chief Minister of the Government of
Punjab to take immediate action against delinquent public servants responsible for the human
rights abuses detailed within the report. Chief Justice IHC Minallah noted the lack of resources and
manpower available to NCHR and pressed the Federal Government to facilitate the Commission in
establishing itself and with the ability to carry out its mandate as an independent oversight body.
As a result of NCHR’s investigation and inquiry report the following actions were taken:
a. Action was taken against officials working within Adiala Jail: seven officials were removed
from service; four officials were suspended for 90 days; and 38 officials were transferred
out of Adiala Jail (See Annex 2)
b. Complaint cell set up and Oversight Committee for Adiala Jail notified by NCHR to inquire
into complaints of torture (See Annex 3)
c. Reactivation of Implementation Commission under the Ministry of Human Rights
d. Notification of Human Rights Courts under Section 21 of the NCHR Act, 2012 (See Annex 4)
e. Punjab Police developed a training module on Custodial Torture & Custodial Death to be
made part of the syllabus of all promotional and mandatory courses
f. Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act was passed
g. Amendment to the Railways Act was passed which abolished the death penalty for offences
under Section 127 of the Act
10