Torture News

A Rwandan refugee who was illegally returned to Rwanda to face trial on rebellion charges has pleaded guilty after being severely beaten in detention, his wife and a rights activist have confirmed.

An investigation conducted by an independent task force has concluded that the Central Intelligence Agency has been forcing doctors, psychologists and other health care professionals to torture individuals detained during the 'War on Terror.'

An editorial in Canada's largest newspaper has urged that Canada not provide "safe haven for torturers," on the eve of a visit by former US Vice President Dick Cheney to Toronto.

Sacramento - Juan Mendez, the United Nation's lead torture investigator, says that he is worried about increased use of solitary confinement in United States' prisons and wants access to California lockups.

New Orleans - A United Nations human rights expert is urging the United States to immediately end the solitary confinement of a Louisiana prisoner held in isolation in a tiny cell for more than 41 years.

Madrid - Victims of torture by Franco's officials launched a case against four of the dictator's officers and warrants of arrest have been issued. The Spanish High Court has agreed to summon the former Franco officers wanted in Argentina.

Buenos Aires - Victims of torture during the brutal reign of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco are hoping they will finally see justice, as an Argentinian judge has issued arrest warrants for four former Franco officials.

Manchester - A researcher at Manchester University has been looking into how Chile's military dictator, Augusto Pinochet, used popular music to "to inflict psychological and physical damage" on prisoners of his regime.

Kabul - Western "feminists" are forever whining about "sexism" and the "patriarchy". It remains to be seen if any of them would change places with the women of Afghanistan.

A US defense contractor whose employees tortured Iraqi detainees in the notorious Abu Ghraib prison is suing four of its victims following a federal judge's dismissal of their torture lawsuit on jurisdictional grounds.