The notion of 'torture' in criminal legislation : a comparative study

Abstract

Throughout the ages torture has been used on many occasions for a variety of purposes. However because of the picturesque definition one gives to torture, its purpose is immediately associated with confessions. Yet, although the practice of torture was mostly used to elicit confessions, it must not be viewed as having been used solely for those purposes. Indeed H. Radtke, honorary member of the German Council of Amnesty International wrote that one has first to see the areas in which torture was most frequently used. One will then realise that the scope of the torturer is not solely that of procuring information this he insists is of secondary importance.