Torture Through Sensor Deprivation Judith Walker December 7, 2005

Torture Definition 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 December 7, 2005

Legal Status of Torture United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) June 1987 Article 2 Each party shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial, or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not be invoked as a justification of torture December 7, 2005

Legal Status of Torture Legal language of treaty Defined as severe pain or suffering, so some level of pain and suffering is allowed No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, the worst that can happen to a Power is the treaty violation going on public record Territory under its jurisdiction, so the gov’t can authorize torture in places outside of their jurisdiction without violating the treaty December 7, 2005

Legal Status of Torture US 5th Amendment US 8th Amendment 2002 DoJ memo Intentionally causing permanent damage to vital organs or permanent emotional trauma John McCain’s amendment to the Defense appropriations bill Cheney seeking CIA exemptions December 7, 2005

Motivation for Torture Gain information from an individual about certain events or people Punish an individual for their actions or beliefs Torture one to discourage others or instill fear into the general population December 7, 2005

Punishment or Torture? Singapore, March 1994 Michael Fay, 18 Vandalism 6 lashings with the ratan– bamboo cane that leaves permanent scars 3 months for wounds to heal December 7, 2005

Motivation to Torture Reluctant or peripheral participation Official encouragement Peer encouragement Dehumanization Disinhibition Organizationally December 7, 2005

Effects of Torture Difficult to prove Physical Mental Sexually transmitted diseases Musculo-skeletal problems Post-traumatic epilepsy Mental Post-traumatic stress disorder Depression Anxiety December 7, 2005

Sensory Deprivation Definition Short periods can actually be relaxing The deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli from one or more of the senses Short periods can actually be relaxing Long periods can result in extreme anxiety, hallucinations, bizarre thoughts, depression, and anti-social behavior December 7, 2005

Sensory Deprivation Techniques Wall standing Hooding Subjection to noise Deprivation of sleep Deprivation of food and drink Also have devices that can cut off the sense of smell, touch, taste, thermoception, and gravity December 7, 2005

Example of Sensory Deprivation Prisoner at Guantanamo Bay Blindfolded Earmuffs Medical mask December 7, 2005

Example of Sensory Deprivation Waco, TX Metallica Music Helicopters Tapes of howling coyotes Complete sleep deprivation December 7, 2005