Recent medical evidence for torture and human rights abuse in Sierra Leone: a report for the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture.

A study was carried out using the case notes of all Sierra Leoneans referred to the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture between 1996 and 1998 for medical reports. Data were abstracted on the type and extent of torture reported, and the cases were followed up to the present day to ascertain how long the United Kingdom asylum and immigration process had taken to process their claims. In the sample of 36 cases there were 68 reported incidents of torture or human rights abuse. Sixty-nine per cent (18/26) of the women in the sample had been raped at least once, and 72% (26/36) of the sample had been beaten at least once. The average time for the minimum due process of the asylum claim to be processed was 44 months (3.7 years). On 31 January 1999, 61% of the sample (22 people) were still involved in the asylum process. Waiting times must be reduced and safeguards imposed so that those who have suffered torture can be rapidly identified and referred for medical treatment, care and documentation.