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 TORTURE
From Amnesty International and the United Nations Convention Against Torture
What is torture?
Torture has been defined in numerous international treaties. According to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.
What is the purpose of torture?
Torture's purpose is to change the behavior, the thinking patterns, and the personalities of the victims —many do not survive it. By taking advantage of the person's values and fears, torturers cut the sources of personal strength needed to resist and recover. Moreover, torture of individual women, men and children is used systematically as a means of controlling and terrorizing entire communities.
Who uses torture?
In preparing for its third international campaign to stop torture, Amnesty International conducted a survey of its research files on 195 countries and territories. The survey covered the period from the beginning of 1997 to mid-2000. Information on torture is usually concealed, and reports of torture are often hard to document, so the figures almost certainly underestimate its extent. The statistics are shocking. There were reports of torture or ill treatment by state officials in more than 150 countries. In more than 70, they were widespread or persistent.
Who is tortured?
People may be tortured because they are activists for human rights, democracy, or any other cause, or because they are family members of these activists. Many are tortured because of their identity (ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, etc) or non-violent expression of political opinion or religious convictions. Often, victims of torture are prisoners or criminal suspects. People may also be tortured at random if the state or an opposition group is trying to create a climate of terror in a population — even if the torturers do not consider this person "guilty" for any reason. Anyone can be tortured.
The United Nations High Commission on Refugees has given assistance to more than 22 million internally displaced peoples, external refugees, and returnees. Many are torture survivors. Prior to leaving their homes they were persecuted and often tortured in police stations, prisons or detention camps. According to the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims in Denmark, studies indicate that 20-30% of external refugees are torture survivors; however, the total numbers are much higher because many displaced peoples — even most — do not leave their home countries.
Methods of torture and its effects
Torture can be physical and include various techniques including: beating, burning, rape, suspension upside down, submersion into water almost to the point of suffocation, and electric torture with shocks of high voltage on various parts of the body, very often on the genitals.
Torture can be psychological, including threats, deceit, humiliation, insults, sleep deprivation, blindfolding, isolation, mock executions, witnessing torture of others (including one's own family), being forced to torture or kill others, and the withholding of medication or personal necessities.
Physical and neurological complications include painful scars, atrophy and paralysis of muscles, hearing and vision loss, and persistent headaches. Torture survivors suffer psychological symptoms such as anxiety, guilt and shame, a sense of powerlessness, problems with concentration, poor sleep with frequent nightmares, and impotence.
Specialized rehabilitation centers around the world provide treatment, resources and opportunities to survivors. After receiving medical, legal and psychological help from centers like Rocky Mountain Survivors Center in Denver, CO, torture survivors can often resume healthy lives.
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