PCATI
Psychological and Medical Forensic Documentation Project
Since 2009, PCATI has intensified its efforts to challenge impunity, as a key issue in its ongoing fight against torture in Israel. The Psycho/Forensic Documentation Project, a joint PCATI / IRCT initiative, seeks to partner with Israel-based physicians and psychologists in order to build a local capacity for the psycho/forensic documentation of torture in accordance with international standards, and thereby strengthen evidentiary support in anti-torture litigation.
The project consists of the following main elements:
- Training of physicians and psychologists: A group of local physicians and psychologists will receive training from international IRCT experts to conduct independent, human rights-based medical and psychological evaluations of victims of torture.
- Medical and psychological evaluations: Local trainees will conduct medical evaluations of alleged victims and produce forensic reports for use in legal advocacy efforts on their behalf. Efforts will be made to reach victims in Israeli prisons, as well as those already released.
- Legal advocacy: PCATI will submit complaints to the authorities; prepare appeals and file court petitions using evidentiary support provided by physicians and psychiatrists.
- Public Advocacy: Public and international advocacy aimed at influencing policy makers and implementers in Israel (security & prison authorities) responsible for the continued use of torture in interrogations, during arrest and transfer of detainees.
