The absolute prohibition of torture is one of the core constituents of human rights and is considered as ius cogens in international law. It is also enshrined in the German constitution. State obligations derived from the prohibition of torture are far-reaching and comprise the obligation to prevent torture and ill-treatment, to investigate and prosecute cases of torture and to guarantee redress and rehabilitation to victims. The principle of so-called non-refoulement prohibits a person to be returned to another state where the person would be in danger of being subjected to torture or ill-treatment. European Union (EU) asylum law incorporates human rights standards for the treatment of torture victims seeking protection in the EU. Their vulnerable situation must be considered in the reception and accommodation of torture victims as well as in the proceedings of the asylum claim. In practice, the main challenges in Germany are the lack of identification of victims of torture and severe violence during registration and the asylum procedure as well as gaps in the provision of adequate health services. © 2017, Springer Medizin Verlag Berlin.

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