Combating terrorism and human rights protection : the ticking bomb theories and torture

Abstract

"Only the person who has been tortured can tell how painful it is. The people who torture you don't let you die and they don't let you be alive." Today and under the weight of a constant, global threat and menace of mega destruction terrorist attacks, public advocacy of torture no longer seems a taboo. Actually it emerged as a topic of serious debate not only among law enforcement officials, but also among legal academics, especially in the United States, where inhuman treatment of terrorism suspects has been intensely discussed in the media and press. There were questions: "What if an atomic bomb were about to be detonated in Manhattan, would police be justified in torturing the terrorist who planted it to learn its location and save the city?" that have resulted in the proposal of legally introducing torture during interrogation of suspected terrorists, with various methods. We have reached a point in history, when we are compelled to test our devotion in the democratic and human rights values of our societies. The decision to be taken is not only difficult, but moreover it will dictate our future legal and above all human civilization.