Modern Torture Essay Research Paper The Universal

Modern Torture Essay, Research Paper

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 states in Article 5 that “No one shall be subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

Yet, almost fifty years after the declaration, physical and psychological abuse of men, women, and children around the world continues unabated and is often ignored. Prevalence data, collected by international organizations, suggests that systematic torture is practiced in some 65 countries worldwide (Amnesty International, 1991). Additionally, there are credible allegations of torture in another 32 countries (A.I., 1984). Baker (1992) has suggested that, of the 23 million refugees in the world outside their own countries, between 1,150,000 and 8,050,000 people have experienced torture. Many of these people are found among the 600,000 refugees who have reached California. Disabled by the aftermath of their experience, they struggle to integrate into American society. Without assistance, many torture survivors may be unable to adapt and fully function as contributing members of the community.

Torture is a slow process that is designed to render its victim helpless, dependent and devoid of all human qualities. Torture destroys the sense of self; it confuses right and wrong; any belief in the stability of the world is taken away; “truth” becomes a word without meaning. Methods of torture are limited only by the fiendish fantasies of those whose business it is to break others down. Physical methods include beating, electric shock (especially to the genitals), stretching (as on a rack), asphyxiation techniques such as submersion in contaminated water and smothering with plastic, burning, blows to the ears, forced standing or forms of suspension, sexual assault of men and women, sometimes with trained dogs. Psychological methods include sensory deprivation, anonymity and dehumanizing experiences, exposure to the sounds/sight of others being tortured.

Physical effects are both acute and chronic. Physicians may see survivors with symptoms and disabilities related to their torture experiences. Some typical debilitating symptoms include: sleeplessness, headache, fatigue, chronic musculoskeletal pains, gastrointestinal problems, neurologic disorders, and sexual dysfunction. The long-term psychological effects of torture may be manifested by symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and alcohol/substance abuse.

But in order to stop the use of illegal torture there is a need for a central and international coalition with a centralized agreement on the correct and humane that can investigate and punish countries that commit this crime. A Judicial process through an international criminal court can punish the officer s, doctors or politicians that allow and commit these crimes to be committed within their countries borders.

Torture isn t a tool of nations at war anymore as is often believed. Countries that are not engaged in any offensive use torture on its own citizens and inhabitants. China is a perfect example.

The human rights violations in the People’s Republic of China remain systematic and widespread. The Chinese government in an effort to suppress dissenting opinions and to maintain political control over the legal system abuses its judicial domestic courts to the extent of torturing its prisoners and radicals . The lack of accountability of the government and the Chinese Communist Party means that abuses by officials often go unchecked. The PRC detains individuals for a wide variety of radical reasons like exercising their rights to freedom of association, religion and of expression, including the right to impart and receive information. The total number of

persons in China detained without charge, sentenced administratively to reeducation or reform camps, or held by other means, solely for peacefully exercising these rights is unknown. However, that figure is estimated to be far in excess of the approximately 3,000 individuals that the PRC currently acknowledges imprisoning for “counter-revolutionary” or political crimes. Many of those detained are held under circumstances that constitute clear violations of due process.

Torture of detainees is endemic in Chinese detention centers and prisons. Although China became party to the UN Convention Against Torture in 1988, the government has not taken effective measures to diminish the risk of prisoners being tortured or ill-treated. Despite strong evidence of torture in several cases of death in custody, state prosecutors have refused to release autopsy results to families or to initiate investigations. In many detention centers, beatings, inadequate food and poor hygiene appear to be a routine part of the process of eliciting confessions and compliance from detainees. Such treatment is applied to ordinary prisoners as well as political detainees.

To eradicate the problem, it must first be understood and investigated. There are many types of torture. Degrees of torture relative to pain in both physical and psychological level. It is also important to point out that torture can be applied to all areas of a population including women, men, senior citizens and children. If a unanimous document is to be drafted all these aspects have to be taken into consideration.

It is shocking to associate