Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions - Updated Edition Insights from practice: The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) has established an in-house forensic facility to enable it to independently investigate and analyse evidence relating to cases of torture and extra-judicial killings. The facility is led by doctors who are also trained to examine injuries inflicted by torture, in line with the United Nations Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (“the Istanbul Protocol”). In 2016, the CHRP helped authorities in investigating allegations of torture perpetrated by police officers against a bus driver who was visiting his family in the province of Pampanga. The forensic evidence from the investigation led to the first ever conviction under the anti-torture law in the Philippines. 2. Recording information The only purpose for NHRIs to gather information about allegations of torture is so it can be recorded and used. Statements and interviews with victims should be written down. All the information gathered in relation to an allegation of torture should be properly recorded in a file, including: • testimonies • statements or complaints • medical records • photographs • affidavits • information and responses from the authorities • other information (such as reports from on-site visits to places of detention). In addition, NHRIs should also keep reports of torture and ill-treatment from other sources, including: • decisions in relevant court cases • reports prepared by non-governmental organizations • reports of international and regional bodies (such as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture or the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture) • social media posts and media reports of torture. This information is useful to help to cross-check allegations and identify patterns of abuses. NHRIs should aim to collect disaggregated data broken down in terms of sex, age and other status where possible. All information collected should be formally recorded using a standard format that allows others within the NHRI to analyse and use it appropriately. A standard reporting format allows for cross-checking between different cases and establishing patterns of torture and ill-treatment. NHRIs that have the capacity to do so should maintain a computer database or spreadsheet of complaints of torture they have received. 60