Comment I: Istanbul Protocol in lowincome countries – A reply

Related to 'A comparative study of the use of the Istanbul Protocol amongst civil society organizations in low-income countries' pp.60-73

Abstract

In an article in this issue by Kelly et al. on the use of the Istanbul Protocol amongst civil society organizations in low-income countries, the authors conclude that the significance of the Istanbul Protocol is “limited to a very small – albeit important - number of legal cases” and largely does not apply to low-income countries based on issues such as fear of reprisals, the lack of trained health professionals, and the duration and expense of comprehensive forensic medical evaluations. As clinicians who have participated in the development of the Istanbul Protocol and implementation of Istanbul Protocol standards in many contexts and countries, including low-income countries, we are concerned that the conclusions in the article are not well founded.