Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'End tortures globally' that was published in Newsband

End tortures globally

The so-called 'war on terror' has led to an erosion of fundamental human rights, highlighted by the increasing use and acceptance of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

We have seen and heard testimonies of 'terrorist suspects', held or formerly held in places of detention such as Guantánamo Bay and Bagram. Such places of detention exist in several locations globally. This new trend for torture must stop.

Amnesty's campaign against torture in the 'war on terror' was launched on 26 June 2005. The campaign highlights the harsh reality of torture and its consequences. The campaigns are on to hold governments accountable for their actions and to uphold international law and the absolute prohibition of torture under any circumstances.

What should we achieve? All states and individuals engaging in torture, or the infliction of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment should be fully investigated and held accountable

The facilities where detainees are subjected to such treatment should be closed and detainees should be given access to full and fair trial procedures or released. No person should be transferred to any country where they are likely to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

All evidence extracted by these means should never be used or relied upon in legal proceedings

The right to be free from torture is one of the most fundamental human rights recognized by the global community. Any government-sponsored acts of torture under any circumstances are profoundly immoral, unjustified, and illegal. They violate human rights of the tortured persons. Such practices should end.

Ending torture requires putting in place laws and policies that firmly condemn future acts of "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment." It also means confronting past transgressions and helping the survivors of such treatment heal.

Syrian army and security officers have detained and tortured children with impunity during the past year, according to an organization called ‘Human Rights Watch’. ‘Human Rights Watch’ has documented at least 12 cases of children detained under inhumane conditions and tortured, as well as children shot while in their homes or on the street. ‘Human Rights Watch’ has also documented government use of schools as detention centers, military bases or barracks, and sniper posts, as well as the arrest of children from schools. ‘Human Rights Watch’ urged the United Nations Security Council to demand that the Syrian government end all human rights violations.

The organizations which fight for human rights should promote awareness about the practices of torture, and offer direct service to survivors. Besides that, the governments of all the nations should sit together and work out drastic steps to end tortures globally.