Top On-line Resources
To help you with your Term Paper on
Torture
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On-line Resource |
Description |
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A country-by-country compilation of links to
published articles concerning torture – sanctioned & practiced. A student writing a term paper related to
Torture could use a search engine to compile a similar list by himself - but
to do that, he would have to work his way through tens of thousands of links
that are not helpful. |
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In 2000, human
rights group Amnesty International and African social sciences organization
CODESRIA published a handbook for watchdog groups monitoring prisons where
torture is suspected. The guide offers insight into just what qualifies as
cruel, inhuman and degrading (CID) treatment. The book also
discusses sight into just what qualifies as cruel, inhuman and degrading
(CID) treatment. the most common forms of torture
among them beatings, electric shocks, hanging a person by the limbs, mock
executions and forms of sexual assault, especially rape. In addition to
Amnesty International's list, we'll also look at five common forms of torture
cited by the Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, including
burns, penetrating injuries, asphyxiation, forced human experimentation and
traumatic removal of tissue and appendages. |
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Created in 1985,
the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is
today the main coalition of international non-governmental organisations (NGO) fighting against torture, summary
executions, enforced disappearances and all other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. With 311 affiliated organisations in its SOS-Torture Network and many tens of
thousands correspondents in every country, OMCT is the most important network
of non-governmental organisations working for the
protection and the promotion of human rights in the world. |
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DIGNITY - Danish
Institute Against Torture is a self-governing institution independent of
party politics. In Denmark, DIGNITY treats refugees who have survived torture
and it undertakes research in torture and torture sequelae. By doing so,
DIGNITY has gained specialised knowledge and
experience on the basis of which the interventions of DIGNITY's partners in
the South are developed and targeted. DIGNITY exposes and
documents torture on a health professional basis. The clinical diagnoses and
treatment methods are based on systematic examination of the torture
survivors and research into torture and organised
violence. The experiences are used in DIGNITY's education and advocacy in
order to contribute to the global effort to abolish torture. |
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MISSION STATEMENT -- Human Rights
Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.
We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold
political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to
bring offenders to justice. We investigate and expose human rights violations
and hold abusers accountable. We challenge governments and those who hold
power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. We
enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of
human rights for all. |
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Special
Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment |
The United Nations
Commission on Human Rights, in resolution 1985/33, decided to appoint an
expert, a special rapporteur, to examine questions relevant to torture. The
mandate was extended for 3 years by Human Rights Council resolution 8/8 in
June 2008. It covers all
countries, irrespective of whether a State has ratified the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment. The mandate
comprises three main activities: 1) transmitting
urgent appeals to States with regard to individuals reported to be at risk of
torture, as well as communications on past alleged cases of torture; 2) undertaking
fact-finding country visits; and 3) submitting annual reports on activities, the mandate and
methods of work to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Unlike the
complaints mechanisms of the human rights treaty monitoring bodies, the
Special Rapporteur does not require the exhaustion of domestic remedies to
act. When the facts in question come within the scope of more than one
mandate established by the Commission, the Special Rapporteur may decide to
approach other thematic mechanisms and country rapporteurs with a view to
sending joint communications or seeking joint missions. |
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