Can the use of torture in the war on terror be justified?

Article 2 of the UN Convention Against Torture states further that the use of torture is prohibited under all circumstances and that ‘no exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of …

When Can torture be justified?

The prohibitions in the Torture Convention are absolute. “No exceptional circumstances whatsoever,” says Article 2, “whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture.”

Is torturing a terrorist to elicit information that would save millions of lives morally justified?

Torture of enemy soldiers or terrorists is therefore justified in order to extract vital information that could prevent future attacks and save innocent lives (Bowden 2003: 53-54; Posner 2004: 293-294).

Is torture morally acceptable?

Naturally, someone might hold that killing is an absolute moral wrong, i.e., killing anyone – no matter how guilty – is never morally justified. This view is consistent with holding that torture is an absolute moral wrong, i.e. torturing anyone – no matter how guilty – is never morally justified.

Who invented the ticking time bomb scenario?

The concept was popularized in the 1960s in the novel Les Centurions by Jean Lartéguy which is set during the Algerian war.

Is it illegal to torture?

Torture and abusive interrogation tactics are illegal under both U.S. law and international law. Torture is prohibited under federal law, as are lesser forms of detainee abuse such as cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Is a ticking time bomb a metaphor?

However, the “ticking bomb” metaphor is used to justify torture in certain extreme situations. The concept of the “ticking bomb” was first conceptualised in a fiction novel written by Jean Larteguy in 1960 (Kovarovic 2010: 254). The use of torture by states is by no means a recent phenomenon.

How is torture used today?

Physical and psychological torture techniques include beatings, electrocution and sexual torture including rape, as well as sleep deprivation, threat to family members, and mock executions.