Difference between revisions of "Representing Victims of Torture"

From Criminal Defense Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
Line 27: Line 27:
 
The following are some common torture methods used in various parts of the world:
 
The following are some common torture methods used in various parts of the world:
  
<div style="float: left; width: 50%">
+
<div style="float: left; width: 48%">
  
''' Blunt trauma''', such as a punch, kick, slap, whipping, a beating with wires or truncheons or falling down;
+
*''' Blunt trauma''', such as a punch, kick, slap, whipping, a beating with wires or truncheons or falling down;
'''Positional torture,''' using suspension, stretching limbs apart, prolonged constraint of movement, forcedpositioning;
+
*'''Positional torture,''' using suspension, stretching limbs apart, prolonged constraint of movement, forcedpositioning;
'''Burns''' with cigarettes, heated instruments, scalding liquid or a caustic substance;
+
*'''Burns''' with cigarettes, heated instruments, scalding liquid or a caustic substance;
'''Electric shocks''';
+
*'''Electric shocks''';
'''Asphyxiation''', such as wet and dry methods, drowning, smothering, choking or use of chemicals;
+
*'''Asphyxiation''', such as wet and dry methods, drowning, smothering, choking or use of chemicals;
'''Crush injuries''', such as smashing fingers or using a heavy roller to injure the thighs or back;
+
*'''Crush injuries''', such as smashing fingers or using a heavy roller to injure the thighs or back;
'''Penetrating injuries''', such as stab and gunshot wounds, wires under nails;
+
*'''Penetrating injuries''', such as stab and gunshot wounds, wires under nails;
'''Chemical exposure''' to salt, chilli pepper, gasoline, etc. (in wounds or body cavities);
+
*'''Chemical exposure''' to salt, chilli pepper, gasoline, etc. (in wounds or body cavities);
'''Sexual violence''' to genitals, molestation, instrumentation, rape;
+
*'''Sexual violence''' to genitals, molestation, instrumentation, rape;
'''Crush injury''' or traumatic removal of digits and limbs;
+
*'''Crush injury''' or traumatic removal of digits and limbs;
</div><div style="float: left; width: 50%">
+
</div><div style="float: left; width: 4%">
'''Medical amputation''' of digits or limbs, surgical removal of organs;
+
</div><div style="float: left; width: 48%">
'''Pharmacological torture''' using toxic doses of sedatives, neuroleptics, paralytics, etc.;
+
*'''Medical amputation''' of digits or limbs, surgical removal of organs;
(m) '''Conditions of detention''', such as a small or overcrowded cell, solitary confinement, unhygienic conditions, no access to toilet facilities, irregular or contaminated food and water, exposure to extremes of temperature, denial of privacy and forced nakedness;
+
*'''Pharmacological torture''' using toxic doses of sedatives, neuroleptics, paralytics, etc.;
'''Deprivation of normal sensory stimulation''', such as sound, light, sense of time, isolation, manipulation of brightness of the cell, abuse of physiological needs, restriction of sleep, food, water, toilet facilities, bathing, motor activities, medical care, social contacts, isolation within prison, loss of contact with the outside world (victims are often kept in isolation in order to prevent bonding
+
*'''Conditions of detention''', such as a small or overcrowded cell, solitary confinement, unhygienic conditions, no access to toilet facilities, irregular or contaminated food and water, exposure to extremes of temperature, denial of privacy and forced nakedness;
 +
*'''Deprivation of normal sensory stimulation''', such as sound, light, sense of time, isolation, manipulation of brightness of the cell, abuse of physiological needs, restriction of sleep, food, water, toilet facilities, bathing, motor activities, medical care, social contacts, isolation within prison, loss of contact with the outside world (victims are often kept in isolation in order to prevent bonding
 
and mutual identification and to encourage traumatic bonding with the torturer);
 
and mutual identification and to encourage traumatic bonding with the torturer);
'''Humiliation,''' such as verbal abuse, performance of humiliating acts;
+
*'''Humiliation,''' such as verbal abuse, performance of humiliating acts;
'''Threats of death,"' harm to family, further torture, imprisonment, mock executions;
+
*'''Threats of death,"' harm to family, further torture, imprisonment, mock executions;
'''Threats of attack''' by animals, such as dogs, cats, rats or scorpions;
+
*'''Threats of attack''' by animals, such as dogs, cats, rats or scorpions;
'''Psychological techniques''' to break down the individual, including forced betrayals, accentuating feelings of helplessness, exposure to ambiguous situations or contradictory messages;
+
*'''Psychological techniques''' to break down the individual, including forced betrayals, accentuating feelings of helplessness, exposure to ambiguous situations or contradictory messages;
'''Violation of taboos''';
+
*'''Violation of taboos''';
'''Behavioural coercion''', such as forced engagementin practices against the religion of the victim (e.g. forcingMuslims to eat pork), forced harm to others through torture
+
*'''Behavioural coercion''', such as forced engagementin practices against the religion of the victim (e.g. forcingMuslims to eat pork), forced harm to others through torture
 
or other abuses, forced destruction of property, forced betrayal of someone placing them at risk of harm;
 
or other abuses, forced destruction of property, forced betrayal of someone placing them at risk of harm;
'''Forcing the victim to witness torture"' or atrocities being inflicted on others <ref> Istanbul Protocol: Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment </ref>.
+
*'''Forcing the victim to witness torture"' or atrocities being inflicted on others <ref> Istanbul Protocol: Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment </ref>.
 
</div>
 
</div>
  

Revision as of 09:35, 23 June 2010