Modern torture

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 states in Article 5 that "No one shall be subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." Yet, almost fifty years after the declaration, physical and psychological abuse of men, women, and children around the world continues unabated and is often ignored. Prevalence data, collected by international organizations, suggests that systematic torture is practiced in some 65 countries worldwide (Amnesty International, 1991). …

…from completely eradicating torture from this planet. As is said in article 670 of the Commission of Human Rights: “. In the final analysis, the elimination of torture is a matter of political will. Its persistence is testimony to the failure of political will. Where it occurs the absence of safeguards and the prevalence of impunity is the measure of the gap between the commitment to its eradication and the political will required to enforce the commitment”.