Thread: Torture

I don't trust the words of Al Qaeda for half a second, and I hope you don't either. However, would it surprise you to find out that Al Qaeda tortures? If you want to talk about torture, why single out the United States, especially when the sources are not credible? There is a whole world of torture out there.

Al Qaeda:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive...2torture1.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,275341,00.html

http://www.newsbusters.org/node/13002

China:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4491026.stm

http://chinaview.wordpress.com/2007/...methods-photo/

North Korea:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/korea/arti...136483,00.html

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/...898919587.html

Iran:

http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/06/07/iran8774.htm

http://www.jebhemelli.net/news/2002/...ture_tapes.htm

Syria:

http://www.freelebanon.org/articles/v60.htm

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41732.htm

Cuba:

http://www.cubaverdad.net/torture_in_cuba.htm

http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y03/nov03/10e8.htm

Sudan:

http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/...539226,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5050636.stm

Indonesia:

http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2001/184/

http://www.asiana-press-agency.com/a...2007-0622.html

Turkey:

http://www.hri.org/docs/CSCE/040897.html

http://www.kurdistan.org/Prisons/npr.html

(to name a few)

The whole world needs to come together and stop this stuff worldwide. Who is with me?

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

If you want to talk about torture, why single out the United States, especially when the sources are not credible?

I don't think it's fair to say the sources of the report are not credible. Among testimony from the alleged victims, the report also includes written confessions from many of the suspects, confirming a number of their stories.

Aside from that, I agree with your pointing out that we aren't the only nation that tortures, although I find the fact that we do more appalling than the others you listed. Not necessarily something I'd like to get into a debate about. It's just my opinion.

Everyone tortures. Simple fact is that it's effective.

Originally Posted by Spartiate

Everyone tortures. Simple fact is that it's effective.

Makes me feel like killing myself.

Further proof humans came from apes?

Nations don't torture anyone. Individuals torture other individuals. Don't act like George Bush signed a piece of paper giving his concent to torture EPWs.

You know, US Special Forces go through a Survival-Evasion-Resistance-Escape course in which they are tortured, in worse ways than these torture victims were treated.

I must reiterate how much I don't care about the sleep deprivation and strict food regulation these terrorists endured.

Originally Posted by Half/Dreaming

Don't act like George Bush signed a piece of paper giving his concent to torture EPWs.

How sure are you about that?

Consider the following:

Originally Posted by Article 3 of the Third Geneva Convention

Article 3 describes minimal protections which must be adhered to by all individuals within a signatory's territory during an armed conflict not of an international character (regardless of citizenship or lack thereof): Noncombatants, combatants who have laid down their arms, and combatants who are hors de combat (out of the fight) due to wounds, detention, or any other cause shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, including prohibition of outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment. The passing of sentences must also be pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples. Article 3's protections exist even if one is not classified as a prisoner of war. Article 3 also states that parties to the internal conflict should endeavour to bring into force, by means of special agreements, all or part of the other provisions of GCIII.

Originally Posted by Section 948b of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 (signed by George Bush)

(g) Geneva Conventions Not Establishing Source of Rights— No alien unlawful enemy combatant subject to trial by military commission under this chapter may invoke the Geneva Conventions as a source of rights.

Looks pretty clear, to me.

Originally Posted by Half/Dreaming

You know, US Special Forces go through a Survival-Evasion-Resistance-Escape course in which they are tortured, in worse ways than these torture victims were treated.

There is a difference between voluntary torture, and unlawful torture.

Originally Posted by Half/Dreaming

I must reiterate how much I don't care about the sleep deprivation and strict food regulation these terrorists endured.

Not that I have sympathy for those guilty of their alleged crimes, but at least don't try to downplay the case as if those were the only two methods documented as being used.

Fair enough. I did belittle the seriousness of the issue at hand.