Concept of torture - Definition

The word torture derives in its etymology of the same Latin term, which in turn is derived from the verb "torque" which means "to twist".

Torture is the act of causing another physical or psychological abuse to get him to confess criminal action or punish him.

In ancient times the confession under torture or "quaestio" was widely used to clarify the wrongful acts, being a very relevant evidence in ancient Rome, which continued to be applied in the judicially authorized world until the eighteenth century when it began abolished, although it reappeared in many historical moments, such as during World War II, applied by the Gestapo or in the Latin American military dictatorships of the 1970s.

Currently in the West, although it is still applied, It is illegal.The UN has been able to issue several resolutions in this regard: Declaration that protects against torture and cruel and degrading penalties (1975), Convention against torture (1984), International convention that protects people against enforced disappearances (2006 ) among others.However, in 2003, the United States declared war on Iraq, arguing that there were weapons of mass destruction.The application of torture to Iraqi prisoners This was a frequent practice, for example in the Abu Graib prison, despite the fact that the UN does not justify torture in any case, even in a situation of war.

There are many ways to apply physical torture: blows, electric spikes, icy showers, burns, immersion in water, extraction of teeth or fingers, etc.In the song of psychology it can consist in depriving the person of sleep, housing him in isolation cells, undressing him in public or denigrating him of any way, simulate its execution, witness that of others, etc.

By extension, the word torture is used to designate what causes us great discomfort.For example: "living with you is torture, do not stop complaining" or "this work is torture, I do not have a single day resting ”.