Torture by deprivation

Nature

Deprivation is used to torture prisoners for the purpose of breaking down resistance, demonstrate absolute control by the torturers and humiliate the prisoner. The range of deprivation is from total sensory deprivation to being denied access to professional service like medical and legal. Sleep, food, and water deprivation are common. Confinement to cells without the opportunity of exercise or even social contact is used in some cases. Relatives are denied access to prisoners or even the knowledge of their imprisonment.

Incidence

Torture by deprivation has been reported in countries including: South Africa, Chile, Colombia.

Claim

Torture by deprivation is a heinous violation of human rights that must be condemned unequivocally. This insidious form of torture, which strips individuals of basic needs such as food, water, and sleep, inflicts profound psychological and physical harm. It undermines the very essence of human dignity and morality. We must raise awareness, advocate for victims, and hold perpetrators accountable. Ignoring this atrocity perpetuates a cycle of suffering and injustice that our society cannot afford to tolerate.

Counter-claim

Torture by deprivation is often overstated and sensationalized. While any form of suffering is regrettable, the focus on deprivation distracts from more pressing global issues like poverty, war, and disease. Many individuals endure hardships without labeling them as torture. Instead of fixating on this narrow definition, we should prioritize addressing systemic injustices that affect millions. By amplifying the narrative of deprivation, we risk trivializing the real struggles faced by countless people worldwide.