Citation

de C Williams AC, Hughes J. BJA Educ. 2020; 20(4): 133-138.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.bjae.2019.12.003

PMID

33456942

Abstract

Torture occurs in many countries, including many that are signatories to the United Nations (UN) Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Torture occurs both in stable states and in those with ongoing armed conflict. By the UN's definition, torture is 'any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purpose 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 type, 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.' The number of victims and survivors is impossible to estimate but, among refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK and in other high income countries, it is likely that at least 30% and possibly more than 40% have experienced torture...

Language: en