EVEnts & speaking engagements
June 26, 2016: Talk/Recording at Barcelona Medical College. Professor Mendez highlighted important findings from his thematic report on forensics, the importance of the Istanbul Protocol, and the need to train and equip forensic experts to help in the fight against impunity for acts of torture.
October 2, 2015: An International Perspective on Developments Relating to the Treatment of Medical Evidence in Torture Cases. Professor Mendez gave an address at the ‘Conference on “Proving” Torture: an ever-rising bar for medical evidence?’ The Conference was organized by Freedom from Torture and held in London, United Kingdom. Professor Méndez spoke about the experience of survivors in the asylum and torture context, about breaking the cycle of impunity, the need for qualified and properly trained forensic doctors, the necessity of having independent forensic services, burdens of proof, and non-refoulement.
October 22, 2014: The Role of Forensic and Medical Sciences in the Investigation and Prevention of Torture and other Ill-Treatment. Side Event at the UN General Assembly’s 69th Session. The side event sensitized member states to the important role played by forensic science in the fight against torture and ill-treatment, and to ways in which states can contribute to supporting improvements in the quality of investigations by effectively documenting torture in full compliance with the standards contained in the Istanbul Protocol. The event also highlighted the importance of establishing standards for the effective use of expert forensic evidence in legal investigations, including procedural safeguards, and of sharing scientific knowledge and technological advances.
October 21, 2014: Presentation of the thematic report on the role played by forensic and medical sciences in the investigation and prevention of torture and other ill-treatment before the UN General Assembly