Torture

Lore & Background

Torture has been carried out since ancient times, with archaeological evidence in Early Neolithic Europe about 7,000 years ago. It was legally and morally acceptable in most ancient, medieval, and early modern societies, used as part of the judicial process to elicit truth, punish, and deter. Historically, torture was reserved for serious crimes such as treason, and non-citizens like foreigners and slaves were commonly tortured. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many Western countries abolished the official use of torture in the judicial system, although it continued to be used throughout the world.

Reader's Guide

Torture remains a significant human rights issue despite its prohibition under international law for all states under all circumstances. Opposition to torture stimulated the formation of the human rights movement after World War II. Prevention efforts have been of mixed effectiveness, but institutional reforms and the elimination of incommunicado detention have had positive effects. Torture is still practiced in or by most countries, though few acknowledge it. Measuring its rate is difficult due to secrecy, and many survivors, especially from poor or marginalized populations, are unwilling to report. The definition of torture has broadened over time, but its threshold of severity remains controversial, with some governments arguing that certain techniques do not constitute torture.

Did You Know?

• Most torturers act out of fear or due to limited resources, rather than sadism.
• Many torturers learn techniques informally and rarely receive explicit orders.
• Once a torture program begins, it usually escalates beyond what was intended initially.
• Torture survivors have some of the highest rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, but many are psychologically resilient.