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How does the United Nations combat psychological abuse? Uncovering the mystery of the Convention against Torture!
Psychological abuse, also known as mental abuse or emotional abuse, relies primarily on psychological impact, with the physical harm it inflicts being a secondary factor. While not all psychological abuse involves physical violence, the two are closely related and often reinforce each other. The overlap between psychological and physical abuse is such that the fear and pain experienced by victims can lead to long-term psychological consequences.
The definition of ill-treatment appears for the first time in the Convention against Torture, which clearly states that any severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, that is intentionally inflicted on an individual falls within the scope of ill-treatment.
Background of the Convention against Torture
The United Nations Convention against Torture is an international human rights treaty aimed at preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment worldwide. This convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent any acts of torture within their jurisdiction and prohibits sending persons to countries where torture is likely to occur. The Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1984, and entered into force on June 26, 1987, which was subsequently designated as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Important contents of the Convention against Torture
As more countries join, the Convention has 158 parties by 2015, and its content provides specific explanations for the definition of psychological abuse for the first time. The text states that the abuse can be used for a variety of purposes, including obtaining information, punishment, or threats.
Abuse is any intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering, whether physical or psychological, for the purpose of obtaining information, punishment, intimidation or based on any form of discrimination.
Types of psychological abuse
Psychological abuse comes in various forms, and common methods include depriving individuals of their sense of control, isolation, perceived monopoly, and imposing a state of learned helplessness. In addition, humiliation, forced nudity, head shaving, sleep deprivation and sensory deprivation are also common and elaborate methods of abuse.
American psychiatrist Albert Biederman studied American soldiers who were abused by North Korean and Chinese agents during the Korean War in 1956, and proposed three basic principles of dependence, weakness and fear to destroy victims. A systematic approach to the reader's self-image.
The effects of psychological abuse
Although psychological abuse may not leave lasting physical damage, it can cause as much psychological trauma as permanent psychological damage from physical abuse. In fact, the involvement of medical professionals in conduct that results in psychological abuse is not uncommon and is reflected in many interrogation practices in the United States.
The methods of psychological abuse are usually designed by psychologists and doctors, and the mental trauma that the victims face in the end is immeasurable.
Specific cases of psychological abuse
For example, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States widely used psychological abuse techniques in Guantánamo Bay and other locations, triggering much controversy and condemnation. Likewise, other countries such as Iran have been accused of using psychological abuse.
Conclusion
Through the Convention against Torture, the United Nations has demonstrated its firm opposition to and active confrontation with psychological abuse. As more countries sign and participate, the world's emphasis on human rights continues to increase. However, in this context, we still have to think about a question: Will all countries sincerely follow this human rights convention and protect the basic dignity and safety of every individual?
