Torture

The definition of torture according to the United Nations as published in their 1984 document "Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is":

• "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."

Torture is against various international legislation, unyet a 2004 New York Times article suggests that 2/3 of all world countries practice torture.http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/23/opinion/23HOCH.html?ex=1086315207&ei=1&en=dd8a4b003ac8f504 Torture is against the following international laws:

• International Criminal Court, Crimes Against Humanity
• The third and fourth Geneva Conventions

There are many reasons for torture, some are listed below:

1. Control - Many governments have used torture as a method to establish control of their citizens. It is felt if citizens know what happens to people opposed to the state they will be frightened off protesting
2. Enjoyment - Some torturers enjoy inflicting pain on their victims
3. Interrogation - To obtain information that the victim may otherwise be unwilling to give
4. Justice - In many societies (e.g. Roman) torture was seen as a part of judicial punishment and a way of society obtaining revenge for crimes committed
5. Sexual gratification - Some torturers enjoy having sex with their victims (whether they are men or women). The feeling of power and infliction of humiliation is very appealing to some torturers
6. To obtain truth - In some historic cultures, a testimony would not be accepted unless it had been given under torture (i.e. could not be trusted if not in torture)

The term 'torture' derives from the French word "torture". This word in French had originated from the Latin word - "Tortura". The term "torquere" in French has the meaning 'to twist'.

There are many methods of torture, some of these are listed below:

1. Burns infliction
2. Medical torture (e.g. surgery, removal of teeth, finger nails, etc)
3. Mock execution
4. Physical torturing machines (e.g. iron maiden, the rack)
5. Psychological torture
6. Sensory deprivation (e.g. kept in dark)
7. Sexual torture (e.g. rape, ridicule)http://www.startts.org.au/default.aspx?id=201
8. Simulated drowning
9. Sleep deprivation
10. Solitary confinement for extended periods
11. Stress positions