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Torture

From Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Violence
Article I of the UN Convention Against Torture defines torture as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for the purpose of obtaining information or a confession, as punishment for a behavior or suspected behavior, as a means of intimidation or coercion, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind. Integral to the UN definition of torture is the notion of the instrumental infliction of pain and suffering under state authority. Under such a legalistic definition, torture is a means to an end, and if they were not expressly excluded, many state-authorized punishments might be characterized as torture. Indeed, many of the punishments of bygone days, including most forms of corporal punishment and many early methods of execution, are considered torture today. In its general usage, the term torture refers more broadly to the infliction of severe pain and suffering, and the purpose of its infliction may be more…
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From Encyclopedia of Women and Gender: Sex Similarities and Differences and the Impact of Society on Gender
I. The Nature and Scope of Torture II. Torture Directed at Women III. Strategies to Accommodate, Accept, or Justify Torture IV. Conclusion Glossary Amnesty International An organization of around 1 million members in more than 160 countries and territories working to promote the human rights that…
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Full text Article Torture

From World of Criminal Justice, Gale
Torture consists of the infliction of extreme pain as a means of coercion, punishment, or enjoyment. The type of pain inflicted can be either physical or psychological in nature or both. Throughout history, torture has been inextricably linked to criminal justice, as it has been used to punish…
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From Global Social Issues: An Encyclopedia
Demonstrators in New York City conduct mock...
Few topics cause as much debate over moral, legal, and policy issues as torture. Although torture is forbidden by international law and is illegal in most countries, it continues to be widely used in the twenty-first century. It is a difficult topic to address, not only because of its emotional…
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Full text Article torture

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
the intentional infliction of severe physical or mental pain or suffering in order to intimidate, coerce, obtain information or a confession, or punish. In international law, the term is usually further restricted to actions committed by persons acting in an official capacity. The UN Convention…
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From Encyclopedia of Ethics
Torture is the deliberate infliction of violence, and through violence, severe mental and/or physical suffering upon individuals. It may be inflicted by individuals or groups and for diverse ends, ranging from extracting information, confession, admission of culpability or liability, and…
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Full text Article torture

From Encyclopedia of the American Presidency
Torture is a crime both under U.S. domestic law and under international treaties and agreements. In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and with the emergence of the war against terrorism, questions were raised regarding the role torture might play in the fight against terrorism, and…
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From The Oxford Companion to International Relations
From the Latin torquere (to twist), torture is best defined as a deliberate, sanctioned procedure by which official authority inflicts pain. Year after year, Amnesty International reveals that torture is practiced in one hundred UN member states—from peaceful democracies to the most repressive…
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From Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology
A Peshmerga soldier shows a photo on his phone...
The deliberate infliction of physical pain, or mental distress or suffering as a means of causing harm, usually toward some ultimate goal (e.g., submission, information acquisition, or confession). Torture is intense mental distress or unbearable physical pain that is purposely perpetrated on…
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From The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Brutal forms of interrogation and punishment are nothing new to the criminal justice system. This article examines the different ways various cultures have used torture during interrogations over the millennia. Amongst the most prominent examples in Western culture are the Salem witch trials and the…
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From The Macquarie Dictionary
the act of inflicting excruciating pain, especially from sheer cruelty or in hatred, revenge, or the like. Plural: tortures a method of inflicting such pain. Plural: tortures noun often plural /'tct47/ /'tawchuh/ the pain or suffering caused or undergone. Plural: tortures extreme anguish of body or…
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