Torture: Issues, Videos, Campaigns for Action

By: Masha Medvedkov, Posted: Jun 25 09

Regions: Global

Issues: Torture

Tags: testimony, torture

June 26th marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

Torture exists in many forms and is widely prevelant across the globe. The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (ICRT) defines it as "the intentional infliction of severe mental or physical pain
or suffering by or with the consent of the state authorities for a specific purpose." While torture often leaves lasting physical and psychological scarring, it also strips a person of one of the most fundamental human rights: the right to dignity.

Watch this video, featuring the ACLU's Jamil Dakwar explaining "Torture 101", as well as the videos and resources below to learn more and take action on torture and related issues. If you know of other or better resources, please let us know in the comments field and we'll update the post.

RESOURCES

What is torture? (IRCT)

The UN Convention Against Torture

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 5)

SPOTLIGHT ON PHR

PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

These videos were produced by Physicians for Human Rights, one of the many human rights organizations in the Campaign Against Torture. In these videos, PHR staff raise important issues on torture.

TORTURED LOGIC PHR responds to the release of the Senate Armed Forces Committee report on detainee abuse.

STORY OF A VICTIM Physicans for Human Rights' Farnoosh Hashemian recounts.

SPOTLIGHT ISSUE

MOBILE ACTIVISM

In recent years, thanks to mobile phones, cases of torture worldwide have been exposed - often by the perpetrators themselves. The examples below show how the exposure of this footage can force official acknowledgement of torture, unlock processes of justice for victims, or at least drive campaigns to end impunity.

● Egypt: police brutality videos drive conviction of guilty officers (see also Torture in Egypt)

● United Arab Emirates: torture by a member of the royal family yields government response

● China: torture of Tibetans (extremely graphic)

● Chechnya: The Times obtains three clips showing torture of soldiers

● Chechnya: security forces film themselves torturing a local woman