Torture

Torture is the infliction of severe physical or psychological pain or grief as an expression of cruelty, a means of intimidation, deterrent, revenge or punishment, or as a tool for the extraction of information or confessions.

Related Topics:
Physical - Psychological pain - Grief - Cruelty - Intimidation - Punishment - Confession

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Torture is almost universally considered to be an extreme violation of human rights principles and traditions developed since the advent of democracy. Signatories of the Third Geneva Convention and Fourth Geneva Convention agree not to torture protected persons (enemy civilians and POWs) in armed conflicts, and signatories of the UN Convention Against Torture agree to not intentionally inflict severe pain or suffering on anyone, to obtain information or a confession, to punish them, or to coerce them or a third person. These conventions and agreements notwithstanding, it is estimated by organisations such as Amnesty International that around 2/3 of countries do not consistently abide by the spirit of such treaties.

Related Topics:
Human rights - Democracy - Third Geneva Convention - Fourth Geneva Convention - POW - UN Convention Against Torture - Amnesty International

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