NCJ Number
181284
Journal
Politics and the Life Sciences Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 31-36
Editor(s)
Gary R. Johnson
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Although torture is a crude and ancient method of extracting information and confessions from political prisoners, its use is still widespread throughout the world and its techniques have become increasingly sophisticated.
Abstract
At the present time, information and confessions are commonly extracted from political prisoners with few signs of physical trauma. For instance, Israel's General Security Service uses vigorous shaking as a means of interrogation within the occupied territories of the Gaza and West Bank. This procedure may sound innocuous, but there are good reasons to believe that vigorous shaking can induce whiplash-related injuries. Such evidence is found in the child abuse and motor vehicle accident literature. Although global intellect may appear unaffected, more subtle emotional and cognitive dysfunction can create lasting impairment. The author concludes that vigorous shaking of political prisoners is a dangerous and potentially lethal mode of interrogation that should be discontinued by the Israeli government and avoided by all governments. 51 references