Torture

Radhika Budha (Roll No 69)

radhikanudha04@gmail.com
 Torture
• The origin of the word torture is from the Latin word tortus, which means twisted. The word
torture generally means an act of deliberately inflicting a physical or a psychological pain on
another person (or animal). By causing pain to another, the torturer fulfills some desire or compels
some action from the victim.
• Existed in the society since time immemorial. In the past, conquerors and rulers have tried various
methods and means of intimidation either to keep their subjects under control or to create horror in
the minds of the people. In the modern times, the methods have altered, the torturers have changed
but the basic concepts of terrorising the masses have remained unchanged.
• Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, states that 'no one shall be subjected to
torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.“
• The Amnesty International's Annual Report, 2014 acknowledges that while many countries have
made significant strides in combating torture, governments around the world are still using torture
to extract information, force confessions, silence dissent or simply as a cruel form of punishment
• The World Medical Association Declaration of Tokyo (1975) defines torture as the deliberate,
systematic or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons acting alone
or on the orders of any authority, to force another person
• U N Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
1984 defines 'torture‘ as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is
intentionally inflicted in order to obtain a confession, to punish or to intimidate in cases where such
suffering is inflicted with the connivance of a public official. Pain and suffering arising from lawful
punishments are excluded. In order for such an act to come within the formal definition,
 -it must be degrading and inhuman treatment used for a
specific purpose;
-mental or physical suffering has to be caused;

-the suffering has to be grave and intentional;

-the suffering must appear unjustified in relation to the
situation.
• The Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish
Torture says that: 'torture shall also be understood to be the
use of methods upon a person intended to obliterate the
personality of the victim or to diminish his physical or
mental capacities, even if they do not cause physical pain or
mental anguish.
 Types of Torture
Usually torture are classified into two types;
1. Physical and
2. Psychological.

1).Types of Physical Torture.-The various techniques applied are:

i. beating;
ii. heat torture;
iii. electrical torture;
iv. pulling and/or twisting of nail/hair/tongue/teeth/breast/genitals;
V. suspension;
vi. keeping the person in an abnormal position;
vii. irritant torture;
viii. ear torture;
ix. cold torture;
x. roller torture;
xi. sexual torture;
xii. mutilation;
xiii. pharmacological torture; and
xiv. asphyxial torture.
 Psychological torture: The various methods applied are;
1. Deprivation techniques
• Social deprivation
• Sensory deprivation
• Sleep deprivation
• Nutritional deprivation
• Hygienic deprivation
• Health services deprivation
2. Coercion techniques
• Impossible choice/incongruent action
• Humiliations
• Threats
• Blind obedience of Rules
• Sexual torture.
3.Communication techniques
• Counter-effect techniques
• Double binding technique
• Disinformation
 Reason

• To obtain information
• To force confession
• To obtain statement incriminating others
• To spread terror in society
• To destroy personality
• To take revenge
 Consequences
• The physical consequences are seen;
in the form of severe pain, haemorrhage, infections, scars,
malunited or ununited fractures, disfiguration, impaired hearing,
vision defects, muscle atrophy, closed compartment syndrome,
chronic pain, vertigo, STD including HIV and vague somatic
symptoms.
• The psychological consequences are seen;
in the form of anxiety, depression, phobia, sleep disturbances,
headache, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), psycho-sexual
problems, psycho-somatic problems, convulsions, psychotic
disorders, suicidal tendencies and personality changes.
• The social consequences are seen;
in the form of social stigma, difficulty in getting employment or
loss of job, rejection by the family or society or the community.
 Relevant international Legal Standards on Torture

• The right to be free from torture is firmly established under

international law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment all expressly prohibit torture.
Similarly, several regional instruments establish the right to be
free from torture. The American Convention on Human Rights,
the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms all contain express prohibitions of torture.
• ISTANBUL PROTOCOL 1999.
• Declaration of Tokyo 1975 Gudelines for Physicians Concerning
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading treatment or
Punishment in Relation to Detention and Imprisonment.
 What is the Istanbul Protocol?
Internationally reputed standards on;
1. State obligation to prevent, report and investigate torture
2. Gathering physical and psychological evidence of torture that will
be useful before any judiciary/investigative body
3. Preparing and critically assessing medico-legal reports
4. International ethical obligation
5. Medical and psychological effects of torture
6. Consideration and interviewing survivors
• Soft law ( not legally binding)
• But “International Point of reference” on application of article 12 of
UNCAT.
• Referenced by many international, Regional and National Courts.
 The purposes of effective investigation and documentation of
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment (Istanbul Protocol, Para 78)

• (a) Clarification of the facts and establishment and

acknowledgement of individual and State responsibility
for victims and their families;
• (b) Identification of measures needed to prevent
recurrence;
• (c) Facilitation of prosecution or, as appropriate,
disciplinary sanctions for those indicated by the
investigation as being responsible and demonstration of
the need for full reparation and redress from the State,
including fair and adequate financial compensation and
provision of the means for medical care and rehabilitation.
 Legal Investigation of Torture (Chapter iii)
• States are required under international law to investigate reported incidents of
torture promptly and impartially.
• Even in the absence of an express complaint, an investigation should be
undertaken if there are other indications that torture or ill-treatment might
have occurred.
• Alleged victims of torture or ill-treatment and their legal representatives must
be informed of, and have access to, any hearing as well as to all information
relevant to the investigation and must be entitled to present other evidence.
• In cases in which the established investigative procedures are inadequate
because of insufficient expertise or suspected bias, or because of the apparent
existence of a pattern of abuse, or for other substantial reasons, States must
ensure that investigations are undertaken through an independent commission
of inquiry or similar procedure. The commission must have the authority to
obtain all information necessary to the inquiry and shall conduct the inquiry.
• The fundamental principles of any viable investigation into incidents of
torture are competence, impartiality, independence, promptness and
thoroughness.
Procedure of investigation (Para 85-106)
A. Determination of appropriate investigative
body.
B. Interviewing the alleged victim and other
witness
C. Securing and obtaining physical evidence
D. Medical evidences
E. Photography
 Medical Expert Report (Para 83)
Medical experts involved in the investigation of torture or ill-treatment should behave at all times in conformity
with the highest ethical standards and, in particular, must obtain informed consent before any examination is
undertaken. The examination must conform to established standards of medical practice. In particular,
examinations must be conducted in private under the control of the medical expert and outside the presence of
security agents and other government officials

The medical expert should promptly prepare an accurate written report. This report should include at least the
following:
(a) The circumstances of the interview. The name of the subject and name and affiliation of those present at the
examination; the exact time and date, location, nature and address of the institution where the examination is
being conducted (e.g. detention centre, clinic, house, etc.); any appropriate circumstances at the time of the
examination (e.g. nature of any restraints on arrival or during the examination, presence of security forces
during the examination, etc.); and any other relevant factor;
(b) The background. A detailed record of the subject’s story as given during the interview, including alleged
methods of torture or ill-treatment, the time when torture or ill-treatment was alleged to have occurred and all
complaints of physical and psychological symptoms;
(c) A physical and psychological examination. A record of all physical and psychological findings upon clinical
examination including appropriate diagnostic tests and, where possible, colour photographs of all injuries;
(d) An opinion. An interpretation as to the probable relationship of physical and psychological findings to possible
torture or ill-treatment. A recommendation for any necessary medical and psychological treatment or further
examination should also be given;
(e) A record of authorship. The report should clearly identify those carrying out the examination and should be
signed.
The report should be confidential and communicated to the subject or his or her nominated representative. The
views of the subject and his or her representative about the examination process should be solicited and
recorded in the report. The report should be provided in writing, where appropriate, to the authority responsible
 Examination of Physical Evidence of
Torture (Chapter V)
• To the extent that physical evidence of torture exists, it provides important confirmatory
evidence that a person has been tortured. However, the absence of such physical evidence
should not be construed to suggest that torture did not occur, since such acts of violence against
persons frequently leave no marks or permanent scars.
• The examination should be based on the physician’s clinical expertise and professional
experience.
Interviewing structure .
• Physicians must have the capacity to create a climate of trust in which disclosure of crucial,
though perhaps very painful or shameful, facts can occur.
• Maintain confidentiality, disclose information only with the patient’s consent
• providing a comfortable setting
• clinician should explain what the patient can expect in the evaluation
• clinician should be mindful of the tone, phrasing and sequencing of questions
• should acknowledge the patient’s ability to take a break if needed or to choose not to respond to
any question.
• . The purpose of the interview needs to be made clear to the person
• The person has the right to refuse the evaluation. In such circumstances, the clinician should
document the reason for refusal of an evaluation. Furthermore, if the person is a detainee, the
report should be signed by his or her lawyer and another health official.
• Subsequent to the acquisition of background information and after the
patient’s informed consent has been obtained, a complete physical
examination by a qualified physician should be performed. Whenever
possible, the patient should be able to choose the gender of the physician
and, where used, of the interpreter.
• In cases of alleged recent torture and when the clothes worn during torture
are still being worn by the torture survivor, they should be taken for
examination without having been washed, and a fresh set of clothes should
be provided. Wherever possible, the examination room should be equipped
with sufficient light and medical equipment for the examination. Any
deficiencies should be noted in the report. The examiner should note all
pertinent positive and negative findings, using body diagrams to record the
location and nature of all injuries.
• Examination of every body part is done.
Torture Technique Physical Finding
Beatings and other forms of blunt trauma Skin damage, Fractures, Head trauma
Chest and abdominal trauma
Beatings to feet Haemorrhage in the Soft tissue of soles of the
feet and ankles, Rigid and irregular scars,
muscle necrosis, vascular obstruction or
gangrene of the distal portion of the foot or
toes.
Suspension Bruises or scars, neurologic injury, tears of the
ligaments of the shoulder joints, dislocation of
the scapula and muscle injury in the shoulder
region, Complete loss of sensation.
Electric shock torture Burns: depends on the age of injury.
Immediately: red spots, vesicles, or black
exudate. Within a few weeks: circular reddish,
macular scars. After several months: small,
white, reddish or brown spots.
Dental torture loss or breaking of the teeth, swelling of the
gums, bleeding, pain, gingivitis, stomatitis,
mandibular fractures or loss of fillings from
teeth
Asphyxiation In “dry submarino: petechiae of the skin,
nosebleeds, bleeding from the ears,
congestion of the face, infections in the mouth
and acute or chronic respiratory problems
“wet submarino: Aspiration of the water into
the lungs pneumonia etc.
The Five Classes of Opinion According to the
Istanbul Protocol (Para 187)
• Not consistent; the lesion could not have been caused by
the trauma described.
• Consistent with: The lesion could have been caused by the
trauma described, but it is nonspecific and there are many
other possible causes.
• Highly consistent: The lesion could have been caused by
the trauma described, and there are a few other possible
causes.
• Typical of: This is an appearance that is usually found with
this type of trauma, but there are other possible cause.
• Diagnostic of: This appearance could not have been
caused in any way other than that described.
 Examination of Psychological Evidence of Torture (Chapter VI)

• Psychological effects of torture are probably the worst consequences of torture for
survivors. This is because they tend to last longer, are more incapacitating and may be life
long. The intention of the perpetrator causing psychological torture is to cause suffering
without leaving physical marks.
• The main psychiatric disorders associated with torture are PTSD and major depression.
• Complex posttraumatic stress disorder differs from simple PTSD and shows signs of a broad
range of cognitive, affective, and psychosocial impairment that persist over a prolonged
period of time. It is necessary for a forensic practitioner to be aware of early signs of
psychiatric aftermath of torture and refer the victim to an expert in psychological and
psychiatric assessment for counselling and follow-up.
• In recent years, the diagnosis of PTSD has been applied to an increasingly broad array of
individuals suffering from the impact of widely varying types of violence. However, the
utility of this diagnosis in non-Western cultures has not been established. Nevertheless,
evidence suggests that there are high rates of PTSD and depression symptoms among
traumatized refugee populations from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• While the chief complaints and most prominent findings among torture survivors are
widely diverse and relate to the individual’s unique life experiences and his or her cultural,
social and political context, it is wise for evaluators to become familiar with the most
commonly diagnosed disorders among trauma and torture survivors for examination of
psychological torture.
 WMA Declaration of Tokyo 1975
• Adopted by the 29th World Medical Assembly, Tokyo, Japan, October 1975.
• It lay down following guidelines for physician concerning torture;
1. The physician shall not countenance, condone or participate in the practice of torture or
other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading procedures.
2. Shall not provide any premises, instruments, substances or knowledge to facilitate the
practice of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or to diminish
the ability of the victim to resist such treatment.
3. Ensure the confidentiality of all personal medical information of victims.
4. Exception to professional confidentiality, physicians have the ethical obligation to report
abuses, where possible with the subject’s consent, but in certain circumstances where the
victim is unable to express him/herself freely, without explicit consent.
5. The physician shall not be present during any procedure during which torture or any other
forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment is used or threatened.
6. A physician must have complete clinical independence in deciding upon the care of a
person for whom he or she is medically responsible.
7. Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the physician as capable of
forming an unimpaired and rational judgment concerning the consequences of such a
voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially, the decision as to
the capacity of the prisoner to form such a judgment should be confirmed by at least one
other independent physician. The consequences of the refusal of nourishment shall be
explained by the physician to the prisoner.
 Nepalese Provision on Torture
• Constitution of Nepal, 2072
Article 20, 22
• Muluki Crminal Code, 2074
Section 167, 169, 170
• Muluki Criminal Procedure Code, 2074
Section 22: Medico-legal Examination of Wounds and Injuries
• Crime Investigation Regulation, 2075
Rule 24 and 25

• To investigate the conflict-era human rights violations, Nepal’s two transitional

justice bodies, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission
for the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP), were founded in
2015. However, until today, they have not been able to make much progress and are
mired in controversy
• Center For Victims of Torture, Nepal ( Provides professional medical,
psychological and legal services to Nepalese men, women and children who are
victims of torture)
 References
• https://
www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/p
ublications/training8rev1en.pdf
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PM
C6474572
/
• WMA DECLARATION OF TOKYO 1975.