Myths About Torture That You Don’t Realise You Believe

Torture is a heinous act that violates the human rights of a person and causes immense physical and psychological damage. Despite its brutal nature, torture has often been depicted in movies as an effective way to extract information. However, the reality of torture is far from what is portrayed in Hollywood movies and TV shows. In this blog post, we will debunk some of the myths about torture that are promoted by media and entertainment, and share more about the power dynamics that drive the use of torture around the world. 

Myth #1: Torture is necessary to preserve national security

The myth that torture is necessary for national security is a dangerous misconception that has been perpetuated by some governments and media outlets. This idea is counter to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), which has been ratified by over 160 countries and prohibits the use of torture under any circumstances, including during times of war or national emergency. The justification of torture under any circumstance should be seen as a path toward authoritarian impunity, and an attack on human rights. 

Myth #2: Torture is an effective way to obtain information

One of the most common myths about torture portrayed in Hollywood movies is that it is an effective way to obtain information. In movies, torture is often portrayed as the only way to get vital information from a suspect. An excellent example of this would be the TV Series “24” where the main character Jack Bauer tortured numerous people to extract critical information needed to stop a terrorist plot. However, in reality, torture is not an effective method of obtaining accurate information. Victims of torture often provide false information to stop the pain, making the information they provide unreliable.

Myth #3: Torture is only used on guilty people

In entertainment, torture is often used by the “hero” to extract information or punish a guilty person. This myth is particularly harmful as torture is most often used on innocent people by authoritarian governments to force compliance and to break the will of people and groups that oppose them. This is a clear violation of human rights and leads to the torture of many innocent people. Even worse, the people conducting the torture on behalf of these governments are often led to believe that they are heroes who are preserving the sovereignty of the government or the safety of the nation’s citizens. 

Myth #4: Torture is a quick and easy way to get results

Torture is often portrayed as a quick and easy way to get results. The torturer asks a few questions, inflicts some pain, and the victim spills their secrets. However, in reality, torture is a long and brutal process that can take days or even weeks. Victims of torture may not reveal any useful information or may provide false information, making the process even longer and more brutal. In most cases, especially in the context of the Syrian conflict,  the purpose of torture is not information extraction, rather, it is to exert control over the individual, their family, and their community. These crimes against humanity intentionally destroy the survivor’s physical and mental health, family trust and relationships, and community safety net. 

Myth #5: Good people who are tortured recover quickly 

In most entertainment depictions of torture, when heroes are tortured they are able to recover quickly and eventually overpower their captors and escape. This myth may be the most damaging of all, because it undermines the severity of the suffering that survivors of torture have endured. It also minimises the long term and lasting effects of torture on a person’s mental and physical health. Many people don’t survive detention and torture. Survivors of torture rarely have the capacity or opportunity to escape and often require years of medical and mental health care to properly recover from their ordeals. 

Torture in any form, for any reason is a crime and a severe human rights violation. It may also constitute a crime against humanity under international criminal law, depending upon the extent to which it is being used against people. It is a crime that originates from and perpetuates impunity. Torture has severe, lasting impacts on the lives of survivors, their families and communities. 

Synergy for Justice and our partners are working to support survivors of torture and ensure that they can access the physical and mental health care they need to recover and hold their perpetrators accountable. We also work to ensure that transitional justice processes are active in communities where survivors live. Their voices and experiences must be included in the formation of new social structures and governance systems as the community heals from conflict and human rights violations. Finally, we work with justice systems to ensure that they are able to create an environment where rigorous and predictable justice is possible, by identifying bias and stigmas built into the systems that negatively affect survivor experiences and the outcome of criminal prosecutions of human rights violations.