Military

DATE=6/26/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AMNESTY TORTURE REPORT (L-O)

NUMBER=2-304782

BYLINE=MELISSA MILIOS

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED:

INTRO: The human-rights group Amnesty International has issued a new report on torture that spotlights the pervasiveness of torture in the 21st century. Melissa Milios reports from London the report calls for nations to develop plans of action to prevent torture within their government institutions.

TEXT: Amnesty International says that between 1997 and mid-2000, it received reports that people were being tortured at the hands of government agents in more than 150 countries. In more than 80 countries, people reportedly died as a result of torture.

The United Nations has recognized since 1948 that freedom from torture is a basic human right. Since then, the world body has also adopted a series of comprehensive treaties and declarations against torture.

But Amnesty International spokeswoman Judit Arenas says getting governments to admit that torture still exists within their borders or within their institutions is a huge challenge to stamping out torture.

/// ARENAS ACT ///

Torture is something that tends to be carried out in secret. It is something that governments do not want to acknowledge.

/// END ACT ///

Ms. Arenas says a broad definition of torture can encompass anything from inhumane physical and mental abuse of political prisoners and criminal detainees, to corporal punishment of children in schools and orphanages. She says that while anyone can be a victim of torture, certain groups are particularly vulnerable, including prisoners, women, children, lesbians and gays, asylum seekers, immigrants, and people in mental institutions.

Ms. Arenas says the new Amnesty report challenges nations to recognize their roles in preventing torture. It also presents a detailed plan governments can use to root out torture and human-rights abuses in their own institutions, and to prosecute violators of international laws forbidding torture.

/// ARENAS ACT ///

We are firmly convinced that torture is still prevalent because of the lack of political will. Hence, the manual we are launching is actually directed at the authorities, at governments, at those in charge of prisons and police stations, so that they will be able to put in place the very simple measures that are put forward and make sure that that practice does not happen in any institution that they are responsible for.

/// END ACT ///

/// OPT /// Amnesty International is also lobbying nations to sign a U-N-backed plan to establish an international body of experts to inspect prisons and detention centers. Amnesty says the new international body would complement state self-inspections as a safeguard against torture. /// END OPT ///

Ms. Arenas says that despite the worldwide persistence of torture, a bright spot has been increased cooperation between nations to extradite people accused of violating international laws of human rights. She says this shows a growing recognition that those who commit torture or those who order it at the highest levels, cannot be allowed to go unpunished. (SIGNED)

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