PDF Format: Lesson Series 50

The Issue

Torture is considered a serious crime and a terrible act of human rights abuse. Yet, it continues to be practiced with impunity by law enforcement and state officials. A key cause of this impunity is the lack of effective legislation criminalizing the practice of torture. Without such legislation, torture victims are unable to seek redress or obtain remedies.

Visiting places of detention are important in any useful torture prevention strategy. Such visits can monitor not only torture, but all forms of abuse. Detained persons are vulnerable to many human rights violations, and are dependent on the detention authorities for their basic needs.

The Lessons