Limits of Control Modern Methods of Torture

What is Torture? UN Convention Against Torture – 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; 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 sanction.

History of Torture Torture in the Middle Ages – Torture chambers in castles – No legislation against torture – Different methods depending on criminal offenses and social status

History of Torture The Rack – Stretching, dislocation, limb severance

History of Torture Water Torture – Prisoners forced to swallow 9-18 pints of water

History of Torture Thumbscrews – Bones of fingers, toes slowly crushed – Portable torture

History of Torture Burned at the Stake – Pile of wood and straw – Prisoners stripped; dressed in robe covered in sulfur – Tied to stake amidst the pile – Fire lit on all sides; prisoner engulfed in flames – Merciful modifications Prisoner stabbed with an iron bar as flames rise Gunpowder placed in the wood Strangulation prior to burning

History of Torture Execution by Quartering – Usually preceded by other tortures Hand cut off Lacerated wounds filled with lead or hot oil – Limbs tied to bars fastened to separate horses Horses urged forward in opposite directions – Not a quick torture; could last several hours Initial jerks; then horses whipped forward Limb resistance required a “cut” Limbs and trunk burned, displayed

Is Torture Still Used Today? Prohibited (forbidden) under international law & domestic laws Amnesty International: At least 81 countries practice torture UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 5 prohibits torture UN Convention Against Torture: 145 states pledge not to torture 3 rd & 4 th Geneva Conventions: Signees pledge not to torture POWs

Who is a prisoner of war? Geneva Convention restrictions apply to POW’s (soldiers from other countries’ armies) Terrorist groups: Not nation-states and thus not entitled to Geneva Convention protections – Terrorist groups do not respect the Geneva Convention and are not signatories to it. – GC: Morality is a contract and some people (terrorists) as not accepting the contract. CURRENT EVENTS – In 2009, President Obama announced he was closing Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay

Is Torture Still Practiced Today? Amnesty International: 75 % of the world’s governments have used torture in the last 3 years

Modern Methods of Torture Most common: Beatings and physical assault – Philippines: Any object at hand – Israel: “Shaking” May cause brain hemorrhages Israeli Supreme Court: “Moderate physical pressure” is acceptable

Modern Methods of Torture Electricity: Popular and painful – Electric cattle prods – Attachment of car batteries to bodies – Stun weapons sell for $200 and can deliver shocks up to 75,000 volts

Modern Methods of Torture Psychological torture – Solitary confinement – Sleep deprivation – Mock executions – Panama: a) Videos of rabbits dying; b) Exposure to high-decibal rap – Sodium pentathol: “Truth serum” Psychoactive drug Stunts the central nervous system, slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure Relaxed state makes subjects susceptible to suggestion… easy to interrogate

Torture in the United States? CIA Techniques – Attention Grab: Forceful grab of shirt; then shaking – Attention Slap: Open-handed slap; causes pain & fear – Bell Slap: Open-handed slap to the stomach – Punching can cause lasting internal damage – Long Time Standing: Cuffed, shackled to the floor – More than 40 hours – Cold Cell: Prisoner naked; 50º cell; doused with cold H2O – Waterboarding: Prisoner bound, placed on inclined bench; face covered in cellophane; application of water results in gag reflex and fears of drowning

The Efficiency Argument Torture can elicit information more quickly and efficiently than any other method. The “ticking bomb” case: Necessary in order to prevent a much greater catastrophe. Television & movies send a strong message that torture is acceptable when it is used to prevent a disaster.

The Everyone-Else-Does-It Argument Other countries regularly use torture to obtain information. To ban torture is to put our country at a competitive disadvantage

The Inefficiency Argument Under torture, prisoners will say anything to end the torture. Other techniques are much more effective in eliciting reliable information.

The Slippery Slope Argument Even if justified in rare “ticking bomb” cases, it would quickly (and inappropriately) be used in other situations. How do we know the suspect has the crucial information?

The Reciprocity Argument The best way to protect our troops from torture by the enemy is to refrain from torturing our own prisoners.

The Consistency Argument By torturing, we are saying that it is permissible for others to torture as well. We give up the moral high ground.

The Dignity Argument It is wrong to torture because it degrades us as a nation, putting us on the same level as our worst enemies. John McCain