Does Torture Prevention Work?
Published on 1. July 2016
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-78138-330-8 (ISBN)
Description
In the past three decades, international and regional human rights bodies have developed an ever-lengthening list of measures that states are required to adopt in order to prevent torture. But do any of these mechanisms actually work?
This study is the first systematic analysis of the effectiveness of torture prevention. Primary research was conducted in 16 countries, looking at their experience of torture and prevention mechanisms over a 30-year period. Data was analysed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Prevention measures do work, although some are much more effective than others. Most important of all are the safeguards that should be applied in the first hours and days after a person is taken into custody. Notification of family and access to an independent lawyer and doctor have a significant impact in reducing torture.
The investigation and prosecution of torturers and the creation of independent monitoring bodies are also important in reducing torture.
An important caveat to the conclusion that prevention works is that is actual practice in police stations and detention centres that matters - not treaties ratified or laws on the statute book.
This study is the first systematic analysis of the effectiveness of torture prevention. Primary research was conducted in 16 countries, looking at their experience of torture and prevention mechanisms over a 30-year period. Data was analysed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Prevention measures do work, although some are much more effective than others. Most important of all are the safeguards that should be applied in the first hours and days after a person is taken into custody. Notification of family and access to an independent lawyer and doctor have a significant impact in reducing torture.
The investigation and prosecution of torturers and the creation of independent monitoring bodies are also important in reducing torture.
An important caveat to the conclusion that prevention works is that is actual practice in police stations and detention centres that matters - not treaties ratified or laws on the statute book.
Reviews / Votes
Reviews'This book is important because it is the first evidence-based feedback on the many efforts of national and international actors in the field of torture prevention. The findings of the research can provide concrete and actionable material for those who work in the field of torture prevention, enabling them to focus on and invest in what works rather than only going along with a formatted response - which sadly is often the norm.
Olivier Chow, International Review of the Red Cross
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Liverpool
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 239 mm
Width: 163 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78138-330-8 (9781781383308)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Richard Carver is Senior Lecturer in Human Rights and Governance at Oxford Brookes University Lisa Handley is President of Frontier International Consulting and was formerly professor of political science at George Washington University and University of Virginia.
Content
List of Tables
vii
List of Figures
ix
Forward
xi
Acknowledgements
xv
Contributors xix
1. Introduction ?Richard Carver and Lisa
Handley 1
Overview and Findings
2. Studying Torture Prevention Richard
Carver and Lisa Handley 11
3. Identifying What Preventative Mechanisms Work
?Richard Carver
and Lisa Handley 45
Prevention Sustained
4. United Kingdom Richard
Carver 105
5. Chile Karinna
Fernandez Neira and Par Engstrom 143
Prevention Stalled
6. Hungary Borbala Ivany,
Andras Kadar, and Andras Nemes 183
7. Indonesia Budi Hernawan
and Chris Sidoti 231
8. Israel Irit Ballas 273
9. Peru? Nataly Herrera and Tom Pegram
299
10. South Africa Gwenaelle Dereymaeker
and Lukas Muntingh 335
Prevention Expected
11. Georgia Bakar
Jikia and Moris Shalikashvili 395
12. Tunisia Fatma
Raach Regaya 419
13. Turkey Kerem
Altiparmak, Richard Carver and Lisa Handley 439
Prevention Denied
14. Ethiopia Yonas Mebrahtu
and Sam Ponniah 471
15. India Jinee
Lokaneeta and Amar Jesani 501
16. Kyrgyzstan Aida
Baijumanova, Moritz Birk and Lira Ismailova 549
17. The Philippines Ricardo Sunga
III 591
Conclusion and Future Strategies
18. Conclusion Richard
Carver and Lisa Handley 627
Bibliography 635
Index 651
vii
List of Figures
ix
Forward
xi
Acknowledgements
xv
Contributors xix
1. Introduction ?Richard Carver and Lisa
Handley 1
Overview and Findings
2. Studying Torture Prevention Richard
Carver and Lisa Handley 11
3. Identifying What Preventative Mechanisms Work
?Richard Carver
and Lisa Handley 45
Prevention Sustained
4. United Kingdom Richard
Carver 105
5. Chile Karinna
Fernandez Neira and Par Engstrom 143
Prevention Stalled
6. Hungary Borbala Ivany,
Andras Kadar, and Andras Nemes 183
7. Indonesia Budi Hernawan
and Chris Sidoti 231
8. Israel Irit Ballas 273
9. Peru? Nataly Herrera and Tom Pegram
299
10. South Africa Gwenaelle Dereymaeker
and Lukas Muntingh 335
Prevention Expected
11. Georgia Bakar
Jikia and Moris Shalikashvili 395
12. Tunisia Fatma
Raach Regaya 419
13. Turkey Kerem
Altiparmak, Richard Carver and Lisa Handley 439
Prevention Denied
14. Ethiopia Yonas Mebrahtu
and Sam Ponniah 471
15. India Jinee
Lokaneeta and Amar Jesani 501
16. Kyrgyzstan Aida
Baijumanova, Moritz Birk and Lira Ismailova 549
17. The Philippines Ricardo Sunga
III 591
Conclusion and Future Strategies
18. Conclusion Richard
Carver and Lisa Handley 627
Bibliography 635
Index 651