Torture: Difference between revisions

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'''Torture''' is the act of deliberately inflicting severe physical or psychological pain on someone as a punishment or in order to fulfill some desire of the torturer or force some action from the victim. Torture has been carried out or sanctioned by individuals, groups, and states throughout history, from ancient times to modern day, and forms part of a worldwide human rights issue.
[[File:History_of_Egypt,_Chaldea,_Syria,_Babylonia_and_Assyria_(1903)_(14761195044).jpg|thumb|right|Illustration from "History of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria" depicting ancient torture methods.]]
 
'''Torture''' is the act of deliberately inflicting severe physical or psychological pain on an individual, often to extract information, punish, intimidate, or for the perpetrator's own gratification. Throughout history, torture has been used by various societies and governments, despite its controversial nature and the ethical debates surrounding its use.


==History==
==History==
Torture has been used since ancient times. In [[Ancient Egypt]], torture was used as a method of interrogation and punishment. The [[Babylonians]] and [[Assyrians]] also employed torture as a means of control and intimidation. During the [[Middle Ages]], torture was a common method used by the [[Inquisition]] to extract confessions from accused heretics.
Torture has been documented since ancient times. In many early civilizations, such as those in [[Ancient Egypt]], [[Babylonia]], and [[Assyria]], torture was used as a method of punishment and interrogation. The [[Roman Empire]] also employed torture, particularly against slaves and enemies of the state.
 
[[File:History_of_Egypt,_Chaldea,_Syria,_Babylonia_and_Assyria_(1903)_(14761195044).jpg|thumb|right|Illustration from "History of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria" depicting ancient torture methods.]]


In the modern era, torture has been used by various regimes and during conflicts. During the [[Vietnam War]], both sides were accused of using torture. The [[Viet Cong]] were reported to have used torture on prisoners of war.
During the [[Middle Ages]], torture became institutionalized in Europe, often used by the [[Inquisition]] to extract confessions from accused heretics. Devices such as the rack, the iron maiden, and the thumbscrew were commonly used.


[[File:Vietconginterrogation1967.jpg|thumb|right|A Viet Cong prisoner being interrogated by South Vietnamese forces, 1967.]]
In the modern era, torture has been employed by various regimes and during conflicts. Notably, during the [[Vietnam War]], both sides were accused of using torture. [[File:Vietconginterrogation1967.jpg|thumb|right|A Viet Cong prisoner being interrogated by South Vietnamese forces, 1967.]]


==Methods==
==Methods==
Torture methods can be physical or psychological. Physical methods include beating, electric shocks, and waterboarding. Psychological methods include threats, humiliation, and sensory deprivation.
Torture methods can be broadly categorized into physical and psychological techniques. Physical torture includes methods such as beating, burning, and mutilation. Psychological torture may involve threats, humiliation, and sensory deprivation.


[[File:Waterboarding_a_captured_North_Vietnamese_soldier_near_Da_Nang.jpeg|thumb|right|Waterboarding of a captured North Vietnamese soldier near Da Nang.]]
One infamous method is [[waterboarding]], which simulates drowning. [[File:Waterboarding_a_captured_North_Vietnamese_soldier_near_Da_Nang.jpeg|thumb|right|Waterboarding of a captured North Vietnamese soldier near Da Nang.]]


==Legal and Ethical Issues==
==Legal and Ethical Issues==
Torture is prohibited under international law, including the [[United Nations Convention Against Torture]]. Despite this, reports of torture continue to surface from various parts of the world. The ethical debate around torture often centers on its effectiveness and moral implications.
Torture is prohibited under international law, including the [[United Nations Convention Against Torture]] and the [[Geneva Conventions]]. Despite this, reports of torture continue to surface from various parts of the world.


==Modern Examples==
The [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]] scandal brought significant attention to the use of torture by the [[United States]] military during the [[Iraq War]]. [[File:AbuGhraibScandalGraner55.jpg|thumb|right|Photograph from the Abu Ghraib scandal showing prisoner abuse.]]
In recent history, the [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]] scandal brought international attention to the use of torture by U.S. military personnel in Iraq.


[[File:AbuGhraibScandalGraner55.jpg|thumb|right|Photograph from the Abu Ghraib scandal showing prisoner abuse.]]
==Cultural and Social Impact==
Torture has a profound impact on societies, often leaving lasting scars on victims and communities. In some cultures, monuments have been erected to honor victims of torture and to serve as reminders of past atrocities. [[File:Monumento_Tortura_Nunca_Mais_homenagem_ s_v timas_da_Ditadura_Militar_de_1964-1985_(Statues_in_Recife,_Brazil)_(52181323154).jpg|thumb|right|Monument in Recife, Brazil, honoring victims of the military dictatorship.]]


==Opposition and Advocacy==
==Art and Literature==
Many organizations, such as [[Amnesty International]] and [[Human Rights Watch]], actively campaign against the use of torture. Memorials and monuments have been erected to honor victims of torture and to remind the public of its inhumanity.
Torture has been depicted in various forms of art and literature, often as a critique of its use. The Spanish artist [[Francisco de Goya]] famously depicted scenes of torture in his works, highlighting the brutality and inhumanity of the practice. [[File:Goya_y_Lucientes,_Francisco_de_-_The_custody_of_a_criminal_does_not_require_torture_-_Google_Art_Project_(cropped).jpg|thumb|"The custody of a criminal does not require torture" by Francisco de Goya.]]
 
[[File:-1985_(Statues_in_Recife,_Brazil)_(52181323154).jpg|thumb|right|Monument in Recife, Brazil, honoring victims of the military dictatorship.]]


==Related pages==
==Related pages==
* [[Human rights]]
* [[Human rights]]
* [[War crimes]]
* [[Geneva Conventions]]
* [[Geneva Conventions]]
 
* [[Inquisition]]
==References==
* [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]]
{{Reflist}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Goya_y_Lucientes,_Francisco_de_-_The_custody_of_a_criminal_does_not_require_torture_-_Google_Art_Project_(cropped).jpg|"The custody of a criminal does not require torture" by Francisco de Goya.
File:Protesters_use_tennis_rackets_to_bat_away_tear_gas._(50267655062).jpg|Protesters using tennis rackets to bat away tear gas.
File:Abu_Ghraib_17a_(cropped).jpg|Another image from the Abu Ghraib scandal.
File:China;_the_mutilated_body_of_a_man_who_had_been_dismembered_Wellcome_V0031254.jpg|Historical image of a mutilated body in China.
File:Taser_Stoper_C-2_img_2864.jpg|A modern taser device.
File:Lauritz_Sand_recovering_after_his_release,_May_1945.jpg|Lauritz Sand recovering after his release in May 1945.
File:Torture,_proposed_poster_in_The_Nature_of_the_Enemy_series.gif|Proposed poster against torture.
File:CAT_members.svg|Map of members of the Convention Against Torture.
</gallery>


[[Category:Torture]]
[[Category:Torture]]
[[Category:Human rights abuses]]
[[Category:Human rights abuses]]
<gallery>
File:Vietconginterrogation1967.jpg|Torture
File:History_of_Egypt,_Chaldea,_Syria,_Babylonia_and_Assyria_(1903)_(14761195044).jpg|Torture
File:Goya_y_Lucientes,_Francisco_de_-_The_custody_of_a_criminal_does_not_require_torture_-_Google_Art_Project_(cropped).jpg|Torture
File:Protesters_use_tennis_rackets_to_bat_away_tear_gas._(50267655062).jpg|Torture
File:AbuGhraibScandalGraner55.jpg|Torture
File:Abu_Ghraib_17a_(cropped).jpg|Torture
File:China;_the_mutilated_body_of_a_man_who_had_been_dismembered_Wellcome_V0031254.jpg|Torture
File:Waterboarding_a_captured_North_Vietnamese_soldier_near_Da_Nang.jpeg|Torture
File:Taser_Stoper_C-2_img_2864.jpg|Torture
File:Lauritz_Sand_recovering_after_his_release,_May_1945.jpg|Torture
File:Torture,_proposed_poster_in_The_Nature_of_the_Enemy_series.gif|Torture
File:CAT_members.svg|Torture
</gallery>

Revision as of 11:13, 23 March 2025


Illustration from "History of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria" depicting ancient torture methods.

Torture is the act of deliberately inflicting severe physical or psychological pain on an individual, often to extract information, punish, intimidate, or for the perpetrator's own gratification. Throughout history, torture has been used by various societies and governments, despite its controversial nature and the ethical debates surrounding its use.

History

Torture has been documented since ancient times. In many early civilizations, such as those in Ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and Assyria, torture was used as a method of punishment and interrogation. The Roman Empire also employed torture, particularly against slaves and enemies of the state.

During the Middle Ages, torture became institutionalized in Europe, often used by the Inquisition to extract confessions from accused heretics. Devices such as the rack, the iron maiden, and the thumbscrew were commonly used.

In the modern era, torture has been employed by various regimes and during conflicts. Notably, during the Vietnam War, both sides were accused of using torture.

A Viet Cong prisoner being interrogated by South Vietnamese forces, 1967.

Methods

Torture methods can be broadly categorized into physical and psychological techniques. Physical torture includes methods such as beating, burning, and mutilation. Psychological torture may involve threats, humiliation, and sensory deprivation.

One infamous method is waterboarding, which simulates drowning.

Waterboarding of a captured North Vietnamese soldier near Da Nang.

Legal and Ethical Issues

Torture is prohibited under international law, including the United Nations Convention Against Torture and the Geneva Conventions. Despite this, reports of torture continue to surface from various parts of the world.

The Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal brought significant attention to the use of torture by the United States military during the Iraq War.

Photograph from the Abu Ghraib scandal showing prisoner abuse.

Cultural and Social Impact

Torture has a profound impact on societies, often leaving lasting scars on victims and communities. In some cultures, monuments have been erected to honor victims of torture and to serve as reminders of past atrocities.

File:Monumento Tortura Nunca Mais homenagem s v timas da Ditadura Militar de 1964-1985 (Statues in Recife, Brazil) (52181323154).jpg
Monument in Recife, Brazil, honoring victims of the military dictatorship.

Art and Literature

Torture has been depicted in various forms of art and literature, often as a critique of its use. The Spanish artist Francisco de Goya famously depicted scenes of torture in his works, highlighting the brutality and inhumanity of the practice.

File:Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de - The custody of a criminal does not require torture - Google Art Project (cropped).jpg
"The custody of a criminal does not require torture" by Francisco de Goya.

Related pages