What is torture?

I came across this on another site but I can't remember where.

I would propose that some acts against prisoners is torture and some acts, that may seem harsh, are not. I would also propose that some torture is justified under certain circumstances.


What IS torture:

1. Acts that kill the prisoner.

2. Acts that cause serious bodily harm that may lead to death at a later time.

3. Acts that cause permanent significant harm, e.g. removing body parts.

4. Breaking bones.

5. Burning, scraping or cutting of the body of prisoners.

6. Placing the prisoner in positions or using instruments that cause SIGNIFICANT pain over a long period of time. Pinching their little finger or pulling their hair doesn't count.

7. Brain-washing.

8. Forced labor for any reason other than that needed to maintain the conditions of the prison and the safety of the prisoners. For example, prisoners being forced to plant and harvest crops for food, for the prisoners, is NOT forced labor. Prisoners being forced to clean their own bodies, cells and clothes is NOT forced labor. Prisoners being forced to pave streets, build bridges, make license plates or make products for Wal-Mart IS forced labor (see China).


What is NOT torture:

1. Making prisoners strip naked. This is done in most prisons around the world and is done for security when moving prisoners around. Besides most people don't seem to mind being naked in front of the world on the internet.

2. Making prisoners uncomfortable.

3. Making prisoners frightened.

4. Lying to or manipulating prisoners.

5. Most forms of psychological abuse.

6. Using one prisoner to gain information about another prisoner.

7. Isolating prisoners.

8. Naked Iraqi pyramids.

9. Having female gaurds point and laugh at prisoners' winkies.


Things that are "EDGEY":

1. Water torture. Despite the unfortunate name, water torture is a very mild form of torture. It is 99% psychological, 1% physical.

2. Sleep deprivation. A little sleep deprivation is very useful and does not result in permanent harm. Long-term sleep deprivation can cause much harm including permanent psychological damage, other illnesses and even death.

3. Hypnotism. Brain-washing is a severe form of hypnotism and is abuse.

4. Beatings. Some beatings are necesssary to subdue unruly prisoners. Some prisoners are themselves very violent. Gaurds must have the ability to protect themselves.

5. Use of dangerous animals. Sometimes animals, like dogs, are used to SCARE prisoners into cooperating, or subduction, but dogs and other animals can be used to injure prisoners even if not intentional.

6. Use of drugs.


Feel free to add your own.

It is impossible really to answer this question from the 'outside'. You need to experience these things, personally. Once you have been in a position where resistance to the will of another is impossible, then you may begin to understand what is productive, humane questioning and rehabilitation or isolation from society, and what is simply sadistic indulgence.

I think the following conditions must exist for something to qualify as 'torture':

1) An involuntary condition of submission;
2) The impossibility of escape;
3) Deliberate infliction of physical or psychological pain by those in control.

If you want information, use sodium pentathol. If you want reformation, educate. If you want to isolate someone from society, do not condone the crime of sadism among their keepers. We have to live with these torturers when they come home- do you want one of them for a neighbor? Their victims are not going to be 'gentled' by the experience. Torture in any form is a cancer that can not be condoned or tolerated by an enlightened society. Love and light are needed especially behind prison walls. Torture is the deliberate infliction of pain upon a captive. It is an act of bestiality, counterproductive, and very illegal.

[edit on 29-1-2005 by dr_strangecraft]