Torture

Torture is the act of deliberately inflicting physical or psychological pain of an organism in order to fulfill some desire of the torturer or compel some action from the victim. Reasons for torture can include punishment, revenge, political re-education, deterrence, coercion of the victim or a third party, interrogation to extract information or a confession irrespective of whether it is false or simply the sadistic gratification of those carrying it out or observing the torture.

Although torture is sanctioned by some states, it is prohibited under international law and the domestic laws of most countries. Although widely illegal and reviled there is an ongoing debate as to what exactly is and is not legally defined as torture. It is a serious violation of human rights and is declared to be unacceptable but not illegal by Article 5 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.