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1 - The Definition of Torture under International Law

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2025

Stuart Casey-Maslen
Affiliation:
University of Johannesburg
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Summary

The chapter describes how torture has been defined over the last 85 years since it was prohibited in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The core elements are described of severe physical or mental pain or suffering intentionally inflicted for a purpose on someone in your power combine with the role of a State agent to amount to torture. The distinct features of the definition of torture under international humanitarian law are also described.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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