Chapter 25: Torture and Medical Profession

Torture

Torture

• Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as:

  • Obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession,

  • Punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed.

Asphyxial torture

This is usually done by suffocating the individual.

Beating

Using rods, sticks, chains, cables, or other objects ____ is done on various parts of the body from head to toe, including genitals.

Cold torture

Pouring the thin streams of ice cold water on the nude body or sensitive parts of the body, making the person stand on or walk barefooted or lie down on the ice block, or locking naked in an extremely cold air-conditioned room are some of the techniques adopted here.

Ear torture

This comprises hitting the ears with open palms continuously, which will create a rupture of the eardrum/tympanic membrane, causing severe pain and bleeding from the ear resulting in deafness.

Electrical torture

Applying electrical shock by electrodes oversensitive parts such as nipples, genitals, oral cavity, anal canal, armpits, etc.

Heat torture

Burning using cigarette butts, cigars, hot iron rods, or flames over the sensitive and concealed parts of the body.

Irritant torture

Here an irritant like chilly paste/ powder, is applied to the eyes or other delicate parts of the body, especially genitalia.

Mutilation

This is an extreme degree of torture where multiple injuries are inflicted resulting in the mutilation of the parts of the body or total difficulty in establishing the identity of the person.

Roller torture

Comprises applying a roller over the parts of the body.

Suspension Torture

Here a person is suspended either by hands/ feet for several minutes to hours.

Deprivation technique

This includes social deprivation, sensory deprivation, perceptual deprivation, sleep deprivation, nutritional deprivation, hygienic deprivation, and health service deprivation.

Coercion technique

Impossible choice/incongruent action, humiliation, threats, blind obedience to rules, and sexual torture are some of the types under this category.

Communication technique

Counter-effect technique, double blinding technique, disinformation, and distortion of perception and conditioning of new reflexes.

Sexual torture

It includes rape, penetration of the vagina/ anus by long neck bottles, wooden or metal rods, dildos/ artificial phallus, or such other objects, which can result in injuries or mutilation of the genitalia, causing impotence consequently.

Mutilation of the female genitalia

Thousands of young girls are subjected to this torture and in Egypt alone.

Gender bias torture

• This is the ultimate form of control, especially in a position of authority.

  • The fear of loss of job, hostility at work, and social stigma still prevent women from complaining about sexual harassment.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This disorder is more common in rapes, especially by strangers, of physical force being used, weapons being displayed, and injuries being sustained by the victim.

Torture

It creates a severe form of psychosomatic distress because of the person’s lack of control over the basic bodily function.