- Which of the following is/are included in the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT) definition of torture?
- The intentional infliction of severe mental or physical pain or suffering
- Perpetrated by or with the consent or acquiescence of the state authorities
- Pain and suffering arising from lawful sanctions
- For a specific purpose, such as gaining information, punishment or intimidation or for any other reason
- All of the above
- What distinguishes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment (CID or ill-treatment) from torture?
- The use of psychological methods of abuse only, but not physical methods
- The degree of severity of mental or physical pain or suffering inflicted
- Perpetrated by or with the consent or acquiescence of state authorities
- Ill-treatment does not have to be inflicted for a specific purpose
- All of the above
- Which of the following is a reasonable estimate of the number of countries that practice in the world today?
- Nearly all of the countries in the world
- Nearly half the countries in the world
- About one fourth of the countries in the world
- None of the above
- International Law prohibiting torture is nearly as old as the practice of torture itself
- True
- False
- Which of the following accurately describes the purpose of torture?
- To establish and maintain social control
- To suppress and punish political opponents and criminals
- To force individuals to “confess” to crimes
- To instill a sense of terror within a population
- All of the Above
- According to the UN Convention Against Torture, which of the following conditions are exceptions for the prohibition against torture?
- If an official “state of emergency” is declared
- When domestic law allows for exceptions
- If the infliction of severe physical and/or mental pain was not the intent of the alleged perpetrators
- None of the above
- The provision of non-refoulment in the Convention Against Torture refers to:
- Not allowing suspected torturers to emigrate to other countries
- Not returning individuals to countries where they may be tortured
- Not allowing individuals asylum on the basis of torture claims
- Not returning suspected torturers to the country where the alleged crimes were committed
- States have legal obligations to protect individuals from torture and ill-treatment by non-state actors?
- True
- False
- Perpetrators of torture and ill treatment are commonly officials involved in the criminal investigation process, and those responsible for the security of the state.
- True
- False
- States do not have a legal obligation to investigate acts of torture or ill-treatment unless there has been a formal complaint about it.
- True
- False
- Which of the following is not a condition of prison visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)?
- Access to all detainees
- Access at any time
- To interview detainees in private
- To make ICRC investigation findings public
- International law prohibiting torture and ill treatment does not apply to states that have not signed or ratified relevant declarations, covenants or conventions which prohibit torture and ill treatment.
- True
- False
- According to the Convention Against Torture, victims of torture have a right to redress and adequate compensation.
- True
- False
- Which of the following will likely decrease the risk of torture and/or ill treatment among persons deprived of their liberty?
- Access to legal counsel
- Access to a medical doctor
- Regular monitoring of detention facilities by UN and regional human rights bodies
- Judicial remand within 24 hours of detention
- All of the above
- The December 2002 Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture creates a mechanism for regular inspection, by independent international and national bodies, of all places where people are deprived of liberty, within countries that agree to be bound by this Protocol.
- True
- False
- According to international standards:
- Detainees should be afforded prompt and regular access to doctors
- Detainees should be offered a medical examination as soon as possible after being detained
- Care and treatment shall be provided free of charge
- Detainees have the right to request a second medical opinion by a doctor of their choice
- All of the above
- The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners state that detainees or prisoners needing special treatment must be transferred to specialised institutions or civil hospitals for that treatment.
- True
- False
- Measures to prevent torture and ill treatment include:
- Effective monitoring of places of detention
- Prohibiting confessions obtained through torture and ill treatment
- Unrestricted access to one’s own lawyer and doctor
- Ensuring the right to legal challenge of detention before a judge
- All of the above
- Measures for accountability of torture and ill treatment include:
- Effective investigations of allegations of torture and ill treatment
- Allowing torture to be prosecuted as an “abuse of police duty”
- Ensuring that alleged perpetrators are subject to criminal proceedings
- Ensuring adequate victim and witness protection
- All of the above
- Because all detained people have the right to equal treatment without discrimination, differential treatment for special categories of detainees is not permitted.
- True
- False
Search
-
- Preface
- Introduction
- Module 1: International Legal Standards (Overview)
- Torture
- What is Torture
- Purpose of Torture
- History of Torture
- Other Definitions
- Cruel Inhuman & Degrading Treatment & Punishment (CID)
- Prohibition of Torture in International Law
- The United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1984
- Torture in the World Today
- Country-Specific Legal Standards and Torture Practices
- The Perpetrators
- Common Situations for Torture Allegations
- Where Does Torture and Ill-treatment Occur?
- Obligation to Investigate and Bring Justice
- Formal Inspection of Detention Facilities
- Official Complaints to Human Rights Bodies and Other Organizations
- Recently Released Detainees
- NGO Information Gathering
- Late Allegations
- Prevention and Accountability
- International Supervisory Machinery and Complaints Procedures
- The Human Rights Committee
- The UN Committee against Torture
- Regional Mechanisms
- Other monitoring mechanisms
- The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- International criminal courts and tribunals
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Safeguards Against Torture for Those Deprived of Their Liberty
- Notifying people of their rights
- Use of officially recognized places of detention and the maintenance of effective custody records
- Avoiding incommunicado detention
- Humane conditions of detention
- Limits on interrogation
- Access to a lawyer and respect for the functions of a lawyer
- Access to a doctor
- The right to challenge the lawfulness of detention
- Safeguards for special categories of detainees
- Module 1 Presentation: International Legal Standards
- Self-Assessment and Quiz
- Torture
- Module 2: Istanbul Protocol Standards for Medical Documentation of Torture and Medical Ethics
- The Istanbul Protocol
- An Overview of the Istanbul Protocol
- Medical Ethics
- Introduction
- Duties of the health professional
- International Codes
- Ethical rules directly prohibiting involvement in torture
- Primary loyalty to the patient
- Dual Obligations
- The treatment of prisoners and detainees
- Issues surrounding examinations of individuals in the presence of security forces
- Abusive medical treatment
- Consent and confidentiality
- Security
- Involvement of other health professionals in torture
- Seeking further information and support
- Country-specific legal responsibilities of health professionals for forensic documentation of torture and ill-treatment
- General Guidelines for Gathering Evidence and Documenting Findings
- Documenting the allegations
- Module 2 Presentation: Istanbul Protocol Standards for Medical Documentation of Torture and Medical Ethics
- Self-Assessment and Quiz
- Module 3: Interview Considerations
- Preliminary Considerations
- Purpose of Medical Evaluations
- Interview Settings
- Trust
- Informed Consent
- Confidentiality
- Privacy
- Empathy
- Objectivity
- Safety and Security
- Procedural Safeguards for Detainees
- Risk of Re-traumatisation
- Gender Considerations
- Interviewing Children
- Cultural and Religious Awareness
- Working with Interpreters
- Transference and Counter-Transference Reactions
- Conducting Interviews
- Interview Content
- Identification and Introduction
- Psychosocial History (Pre-Arrest)
- Past Medical History
- Summary of Detention(s) and Abuse
- Circumstances of Detention(s)
- Prison/Detention Place Conditions
- Allegations of Torture and Ill-treatment
- Review of Symptoms
- Psychosocial History (post-arrest)
- Assessments of Physical and Psychological Evidence
- Physical Examination
- Closing
- Indications for Referral
- Module 3 Presentation: Interview Considerations
- Self-Assessment and Quiz
- Preliminary Considerations
- Module 4: Torture Methods and their Medical Consequences
- Introduction
- Torture Methods
- Beatings/Falanga
- Ear Trauma
- Eye Trauma
- Restraint, Shackling and Positional Torture
- Suspension
- Crushing and Stretching Injuries
- Burning
- Electrical injuries
- Asphyxiation
- Violent Shaking
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Humiliation
- Prolonged Isolation and Sensory Deprivation
- Sleep Deprivation
- Temperature Manipulation
- Sensory Bombardment
- Threats of Harm
- Psychological Consequences of Torture
- Module 4 Presentation: Torture Methods and their Medical Consequences
- Self-Assessment and Quiz
- Module 5: Physical Evidence of Torture and Ill-Treatment
- Module 6: Psychological Evidence of Torture and Ill-Treatment
- Module 7: Case Example #01
- Module 8: Case Example #02
- Module 9: Report Writing and Testifying in Court