PHYSICAL TORTURE
WHY HAS THE DEFINITION NOT BEEN UPDATED
DEFINITION
The term "torture" means 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, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.
TYPES
PSYCHOLOGICAL
PHYSICAL
STATE SANCTIONED
PROLONGED
26 June 1987 | LAST UPDATED
INSTRUMENTS
Cold air and water
Ice water showers and baths
Iron Maiden (use is debated)
Pendulum (of disputed historicity)
Tongue tearer