A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out complex and repetitive routine operations. The primary objective is to achieve efficiency, quality output, and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with regulations.
In Sri Lanka, the restriction of civil space through incidents such as arbitrary arrests and torture is frequently reported. The lack of proper documentation regarding such rights violations creates serious obstacles in the enforcement of the law. In such a context, a formal and standardized methodology is essential to ensure justice for victims of torture.
The core strength of the Right to Life (R2L) Human Rights Centre is its active network of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) scattered across the island. Leveraging this strength, we have initiated a process to develop a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling victims of torture. In this endeavor, we draw inspiration from the successful operational procedures already established by the health sector to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Our primary goal is to further encourage and empower our Human Rights Defenders to utilize these new guidelines.
Under our new project, national-level consultations will be conducted, bringing together torture survivors, Human Rights Defenders, and legal professionals. Subsequently, this new manual will be drafted in accordance with international standards and guidelines. Primary focus will be placed on the Istanbul Protocol and the standards set by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).
The Istanbul Protocol is the official United Nations guideline for the effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. It guides medical and legal professionals in scientifically identifying the physical and psychological symptoms of torture. Similarly, IRCT standards ensure that victims receive necessary medical, psycho-social, and legal support ethically, while also guaranteeing their full rehabilitation.
The integration of these international standards into our new SOPs offers a distinct advantage: it enables officers at Human Rights First Aid Centres (HRFACs), our Human Rights Defenders and the other first responders to scientifically document injuries in a manner that is irrefutable before the law, without causing re-traumatization to the victim. These new Standard Operating Procedures will serve as a powerful tool for civil society in the fight against torture and the pursuit of justice for those affected.