Torture

About: Torture is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 8173 publications have been published within this topic receiving 109895 citations.

Torture allegations as events data Introducing the Ill-Treatment and Torture (ITT) specific allegation data

Abstract: Forthcoming in Journal of Peace Research, 2014 The Ill-Treatment and Torture (ITT) Data Collection Project uses content analysis to measure a number of variables on more than 15,000 public allegations of government illtreatment and torture made by Amnesty International (AI) from 1995 to 2005. The ITT specific allegation (SA) event data use the torture allegation as the unit of observation, thus permitting users to manipulate them for a wide variety of purposes. In this article, we introduce the ITT SA data. We first describe the key variables in the SA data and report a number of bivariate descriptive statistics to illustrate some of the research questions that might be usefully investigated with the data. We then discuss how we believe the ITT SA data can be used to study not only AI’s naming and shaming behavior, but also states’ (lack of) compliance with the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT). We conclude with an empirical analysis using the SA data that investigates the effect of domestic political institutions on formal complaints, investigations, and adjudication of torture allegations. We show that legislative checks are positively associated with complaints, investigations, and trials; elections and freedom of speech are positively associated with investigations and trials; and powerful judiciaries are associated only with investigations.

The Convention and the Committee Against Torture: A Complementary Protection Regime for Refugees

Abstract: Many unsuccessful asylum seekers petition international human rights mechanisms for alternative protection against return to their countries of origin on the basis that they will be subject to torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. This article examines the important role taken by the Committee against Torture in protecting refugee rights and upholding the principle of non-refoulement. The Committee's 'case law' with respect to asylum seekers is analysed, and its practice in drawing attention to the plight of asylum seekers when examining State party reports is also reviewed. The Committee's work has contributed positively to developing human rights standards benefiting asylum seekers and refugees. It has been able to prevent the refoulement in individual cases and its State party reporting procedure has prompted several States to re-examine their laws and practices relating to refugee protection. The trend for rejected asylum seekers to have recourse to the Committee is not free of concern, however, and this article also highlights some problems that may arise if the Committee continues to be used as a vehicle for refugee protection.

Toward a Theory of Simulated Atonement: A Case Study of President George W. Bush's Response to the Abu Ghraib Torture Scandal

Abstract: In response to the Abu Ghraib torture scandal, President Bush delivered an apology that was widely criticized by domestic and international audiences. Nevertheless, the apology succeeded in allowing the President to stop the momentum of negative public opinion following news of the crimes, and to avoid accountability for his role in the crisis. In this essay, I argue that Bush's success stemmed partly from his use of a special subgenre of apologia, simulated atonement. After explaining the strategy in detail, I describe some of the conditions in which it will likely be effective and apply the theory to Bush's statements.

Predicting the mental health and functioning of torture survivors

Abstract: The psychological effects of war represent a growing public health concern as more refugees and asylum seekers migrate across borders. This study investigates whether sociodemographic, premigration and postmigration, and psychosocial factors predict adverse psychiatric symptoms in refugees and asylum seekers exposed to torture (N = 278). Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that female sex, older age, and unstable housing predicted greater severity of anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Cumulative exposure to multiple torture types predicted anxiety and PTSD, while mental health, basic resources (access to food, shelter, medical care), and external risks (risk of being victimized at home, community, work, school) were the strongest psychosocial predictors of anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Also, time spent in the United States before presenting for services significantly predicted anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Consequently, public-sector services should seek to engage this high-risk population immediately upon resettlement into the host country using a mental health stepped care approach.

The Politics of Torture

Abstract: 1. Introduction 2. Questions, Designs, and Mechanisms A. Appendix One: Methods Used for Table 1.1 4. Crisis and Opportunity in the United States and the Soviet Union 5. The Mechanism Fails: The United States and the Mexican War 6. Torture and Leadership Projects B. Appendix Two: Personality and Leadership 7. Conclusions