Torture
Torture is defined as the action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone. The main purposes of torture include; causing fear or intimidation, obtaining information or forcing a confession, as punishment, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind. Common methods of torture include; beating, rape and sexual assault, electric shocks, stretching, submersion in water, sleep deprivation, suffocation, burns, isolation, threats, humiliation, mock executions, and witnessing the torture of others.
Laws preventing torture The Geneva Conventions are a series of treaties based on the treatment of civilians, prisoners of war, and soldiers. Part III. Section 1. Article 32 of the Geneva Convention states, "A protected person/s shall not have anything done to them of such a character as to cause physical suffering or extermination". This prohibition refers to many things, torture included. Australia ratified and acceded to the conventions on the 14th of October, 1958. As well as this, there are many laws put in place to prevent torture, yet it is still a major problem all over the world. Torture is also prohibited by the signatories of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which has been ratified by 158 countries.
Moral Issue
Torture is a moral issue. A Statement of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture:
"Torture violates the basic dignity of the human person that all religions hold dear. It degrades everyone involved policy-makers, perpetrators, and victims. It contradicts our nation's most cherished ideals. Any policies that permit torture and inhumane treatment are shocking and morally intolerable".
Reasons against Torture Torture violates the dignity of the human being.
Torture mistreats the vulnerable and violates the demands of justice.
Authorizing torture gives the government too much power Torture dehumanizes the torturer Torture erodes the character of the nation that tortures QUOTE "Torture is wrong not because it is illegal. It is illegal because it is wrong" Ray McGovern Religion: Torture in the Bible acknowledges the existence of torture through recordings of torture victims. This indicates that the use of torture ...