"Bill McKee" wrote in message
k.net...
"Jim Carter" wrote in message
...
" *JimH*" wrote in message
. ..
"The United States does not use the airspace or the airports of any
country
for the purpose of transporting a detainee to a country where he or she
will
be tortured," Ms Rice said.
The statement, which officials said was carefully crafted by legal
experts,
denied categorically that the US used or condoned torture.
Maybe not now at this moment, but, they most assuredly did in the past!
There are two separate cases before international courts, that are
taking
place now, that state this was happening
Jim C.
Maybe it is what is the definition of "torture".
The definition of "Torture" is well written in International Law and also in
US Law.


The Convention against Torture defines torture as "any act by which severe
pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on
a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person
information or a confession.." (Art. 1). It may be "inflicted by or at the
instigation of or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting
in an official capacity."

The prohibition against torture under international law applies to many
measures-e.g. beating on the soles of the feet; electric shock applied to
genitals and nipples; rape; near drowning through submersion in water; near
suffocation by plastic bags tied around the head; burning; whipping; needles
inserted under fingernails; mutilation; hanging by feet or hands for
prolonged periods.

International law also prohibits mistreatment that does not meet the
definition of torture, either because less severe physical or mental pain is
inflicted, or because the necessary purpose of the ill-treatment is not
present. It affirms the right of every person not to be subjected to cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment. Examples of such prohibited mistreatment
include being forced to stand spread eagle against the wall; being subjected
to bright lights or blindfolding; being subjected to continuous loud noise;
being deprived of sleep, food or drink; being subjected to forced constant
standing or crouching; or violent shaking. In essence, any form of physical
treatment used to intimidate, coerce or "break" a person during an
interrogation constitutes prohibited ill-treatment. If these practices are
intense enough, prolonged in duration, or combined with other measures that
result in severe pain or suffering, they can qualify as torture.

The prohibition against torture as well as cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment is not limited to acts causing physical pain or injury. It
includes acts that cause mental suffering-e.g. through threats against
family or loved ones. As the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized, "coercion
can be mental as well as physical.the blood of the accused is not the only
hallmark of an unconstitutional inquisition" Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S.
436, 448, (1966) citing Blackburn v. State of Alabama, 361 U.S. 199 (1960).
As discussed below, the use of mind-altering drugs to compel a person to
provide information would at least amount to inhuman or degrading treatment
under the Convention against Torture.