Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
III.4 States must not expel, return ("refouler") or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that the person would be in danger of being subjected to CRSV
Enshrined in article 3, the principle of 'non-refoulement' is absolute: persons must not be deported to another State where there are 'substantial grounds' for believing that they would be in danger of being subjected to torture 'either as an individual or as a member of a group that may be at risk'. The risk of torture must be assessed on grounds 'that go beyond mere theory or suspicion'. However, the risk need not be highly probable, 'but it must be personal and present' Substantial grounds exist whenever the risk of torture is 'foreseeable, personal, present and real'.
Any person who, if deported, may be at risk of torture, should be allowed to remain 'so long as the risk persists'. This is particularly true for victims/survivors, who suffer physical and psychological harm that may require sustained availability of and access to specialised rehabilitation services. 'Once such a state of health and the need for treatment have been medically certified, they should not be removed to a State where adequate medical services for their rehabilitation are not available or guaranteed'.