War+on+Terror-Torture


 * Torture **

What is the justification for torture?
 * = Torture is represented by shocking forms of violence, including: beatings; stretchings; whippings; burnings; electro-shocks; genital mutilation, rape and other forms of sexual assault; ||= [[image:2074541981_dcabd8b006.jpg width="136" height="157"]] ||= asphyxiation; deprivation of food, water, sleep or sanitary conditions; sensory deprivation or overload; and, psychological pressures. ||
 * = [[image:abughraib500x410.jpg width="212" height="181"]] ||= hangings and crucifixions; teeth or fingernail extraction; attacks by animals; forced submersion into water, urine, vomit, blood, faeces or other matter; injections or the use of chemica ls to cause, for example, blindness; ||= [[image:Torture.jpg width="169" height="173"]] ||

** Controversy: **


 * Does a tortured person have to be detained?

Where does psychological pressure or degrading treatment end and torture begin?

How can the government cover up something that is morally unjust?

Is torture even necessary? || ||

Other than the direct effect torture has on prisoners, it also darkens America’s image in the international community. Several worldwide organizations and agreements forbid torture including the UN and the 1949 Geneva Convention, which states: "Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated. Any unlawful act or omission ... causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention. Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."
 * Who does the issue affect? **

"No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever. Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be threatened, insulted, or exposed to any unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kind."

The issue became a part of the national dialogue immediately after September 11, 2001, when some Americans called for a limited implementation of torture. The media later revived the issue by showing sexual abuse of Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib.
 * When did the issue become a part of the national dialogue? **

Geographic area of people affected:


 * Robert Baer, a former CIA Agent, said, “If you want a serious interrogation, you send a prisoner to Jordan. If you want them to be tortured, you send them to Syria. If you want someone to disappear – never to see them again – you send them to Egypt.” || [[image:Flight_Schedule.jpg width="326" height="216"]] ||

How has the issue divided or united the people? The people have become divided over the issue of torture being applied to interrogate prisoners in the War on Terror. People have been questioning whether or not applying torture is morally right.

How does the issue connect to the Constitution?


 * Supreme Court Cases: **