Psychological trauma and loss of medical ethics / Samuel Bakhtiyari
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Samuel Bakhtiari
Torture, in simple terms, refers to inflicting pain, suffering, and harm with the intention of controlling the individual being tortured, using various methods. The level of torture depends on the torturer (the one inflicting the torture) and the conditions of the individual being tortured, which can vary depending on the type of torture and the circumstances of the torturer and the victim.
According to history, the beginning of torture dates back to the creation of mankind and the start of conflicts between humans over certain laws, groups, friendships, enmities, etc. In fact, the history of torture can be traced back to the story of Cain and Abel and similar events in wars, prisons, and enslavement, wherever individuals were held captive and under someone’s control. The remains of ancient civilizations and previous writings clearly indicate the existence of torture, which coincided with the growth of human civilization. From ancient times, the fathers of humanity used their intelligence and considerable talents to come up with the best and most effective methods and techniques of torture, using simple tools and techniques. Those who became skilled in torturing others and had a high capacity for it, made efforts to use their skills and experiences in the future and incorporate them into various forms of torture. Even when Perillos invented the brazen bull for torture in Athens, he himself was thrown inside to test it, but before
Torture does not necessarily require complex tools; some methods can be carried out with very few tools, and some do not require any tools at all. In fact, even ordinary household and kitchen tools can be used for torture in various ways. Methods such as exposing to wild and savage animals and being tied to a stake in ancient times were very common and have a long history. Stretching, hanging on a cross, and being confined in iron cages under the scorching sun during World War II in Asia were commonly used, and some other methods required pre-prepared tools. With the development of human civilization, various forms of torture have also evolved. As human beings progressed through different stages of development, torture tools also became more advanced.
Torture, due to its compatibility with pressures, dangers, and undesirable consequences it creates, leads to specific psychological conditions. The torturers were always seeking innovative and efficient methods to exploit this tool. The development of new torture methods required the cooperation of powerful institutions and knowledge. While most intellectuals were dedicated to serving the people, some became slaves to those in power and used knowledge to serve their own interests. In the 20th century, with the downfall of the Nazi regime, shocking information was revealed about the collaboration between German scientists and the ruling regime. Supersonic rockets, nerve gas, jet-powered planes, guided missiles, espionage technology, and advanced armor were just some of the bizarre technologies that were being developed in Nazi laboratories, workshops, and factories, even when they were on the verge of defeat. All of these tools of slaughter were the result of the collaboration between science and power.
In ideological and religious systems, the most naked form of attack on human nature is the realm of faith. In the sense that you should not be the human you were in the past; you must become the human they want. In totalitarian systems, others must either be converted to “be silent” or “be with us” as soon as they fall into bondage; and usually they have achieved success through torture, which they still resort to.
Psychological torture, as a modern method, has received more attention from those in power in recent years than ever before. Psychological torture is a type of torture that uses psychological tools and psychiatric methods, which are usually used to treat sick individuals, to torture healthy and sane individuals for political, religious, or family reasons. This was the most common type of torture used on political prisoners in the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Less severe forms of it were used on military officers who held communist beliefs in the United States. However, psychological torture is still used by many authoritarian regimes. It can be said that the lack of physical consequences such as amputation and other bodily defects is one of the reasons why torturers are interested in this type of torture.
Common methods in this torture usually involve injecting chemicals into the body or forcing the person to take medication. Torture is carried out using various drugs, which may contain chemical compounds or psychoactive substances, to inflict pain and suffering on the individual in order to force them to accept the torturer’s goal and ultimately achieve it, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, and to confess. The most important issue in white torture is interrogation and the conditions of the interrogated. Interrogation is usually carried out for two purposes: one is to extract accurate and clear information, and the other is to create a change in the prisoner’s thinking or brainwashing.
In the first type of interrogation, the prisoner is put under pressure, but only to the extent necessary for obtaining accurate, detailed information. The prisoner must be in a condition where their thought process is maintained and their mental errors are reduced.
In the second type of interrogation, the issue is the opposite of the first type and interrogation is carried out through methods such as repeated questioning, debate, threats, indoctrination, encouragement, and violence. The main goal of this type of interrogation is to accelerate the breaking of the prisoner’s values and encourage them to replace their old values with a new system. In this method, the interrogator appears as both a friend and an enemy, and the contradiction only resolves in favor of becoming friends with the prisoner when the pressure decreases. In these long interrogations, the prisoner is put under pressure with repetitive questions about a topic and their refusal to accept the prisoner’s statements, and by repeating and repeating and repeating these questions and debates, the person becomes exhausted. Additionally, this is done to highlight the internal contradictions of the prisoner and emphasize their personal weaknesses. It can be boldly stated that psychological torture is much more painful than physical torture.
According to Professor Manfred Nowak, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, “torture and slavery are the worst forms of human rights violations because they directly violate human dignity and integrity.” However, our discussion is about torture in the present era. Why is it that despite advancements in technology, science, and industry, in an era where we are competing to conquer the moon, humanity still cannot refrain from torturing and abusing their fellow human beings? The countless prisons of oppressive regimes in the Middle East and even the hidden and semi-hidden prisons in Europe and America prove to us that torture still exists. Perhaps it is safe to say that the 20th century was a century of torture, alongside the Middle Ages. In this century, history has witnessed the worst forms of torture and inhumane acts. The acceptance and commitment of governments to various conventions, including the Convention against Torture, has been able to temporarily, although not for long, instill the idea that their most condem
After the events of September 11, 2001, the world has once again been faced with this terrible phenomenon and under various pretexts, they use their power to humiliate human dignity in the name of fighting against terrorism. Some of these torturers consider their heinous and anti-human acts as legal, which is unimaginable and unacceptable for humanity. For example, Donald Rumsfeld, the US Secretary of Defense, who himself sets the boundaries for accepted international human rights norms, says: “We determine what is permissible and what is not”; which is itself a violation of norms and the world must be saved from this trend, which is a result of political fundamentalism. Or some Muslim governments justify torture and consider it “permissible in Sharia law” and make it part of their judicial system. This is while they have also ratified the Convention against Torture and in Article 2 of this Convention, there is an absolute prohibition and no exceptions are mentioned or accepted. So how do these
However, in the midst of this, the United Nations, which works closely with governments, has made decisions about countries that claim to uphold the rule of law and respect human rights, but turn into perpetrators of torture. How can it prevent these governments from torturing others? Answering this question seems difficult. But what is clear is that the practice of torture by democratic and populist countries encourages dictatorial governments to use torture and violence with even greater intensity.
The spread of some reports on the collaboration between doctors and psychiatrists to impose maximum mental and physical pressure on prisoners reflects the depth of the tragedy of the collaboration between science and those in power. According to these reports, doctors and psychiatrists have committed a violation by designing, implementing, and legally justifying violent torture methods used around the world, which is a greater violation of human rights and betrayal of medical ethics than all previous cases. The extensive collaboration of the American Psychological Association (APA) with the Pentagon over the years is an example of the use of science for torture. According to the research of American lawyer David Hoffman, this association has been actively involved in activities related to “fighting terrorism”. In addition to inventing torture methods, its members have also witnessed their implementation. The presence of medical personnel during interrogations is very painful.
Given that doctors and other health professionals have taken an oath to heal patients, but have instead participated in and condoned torture, they have caused damage to the trust in the medical profession. Health activists who have assisted in the torture of prisoners should be held accountable by medical associations, as accountability is necessary to maintain trust in the medical profession and to put an end to torture. Torture has caused physical and mental wounds and has forced survivors to endure severe injuries, relive humiliating memories, and experience recurring nightmares. According to the website Antiwar, the Physicians for Human Rights organization has also called for a comprehensive investigation into compensating the victims of medical crimes, where perpetrators must not only be held accountable for their crimes, but also pay reparations, provide medical care, and offer social and psychological services to compensate for the damages caused by the torture of prisoners. The organization has also requested that health activists who have violated ethical standards or laws be punished through criminal prosecution, revocation of their licenses, and removal
Sources:
The website of Radio Zamaneh, Antiwar and Huffington Post.
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A.P.A. American Psychological Association Magazine number 52 Monthly Peace Line Magazine Psychological torture Samuel Bakhtiari Torture 2