FAQ: What forms of torture exists?
The most frequently used forms of torture are: blows to the
soles of the feet (falanga); electrical torture to the genitals or
other sensitive areas on the body; incarceration in a small cell
for days; the victim's head is held under water to the point of
suffocation (submarino); rape or the like, until the person
confesses or talks. The list of known torture forms is long.
Mental torture
The mental torture methods most frequently used are:
- Isolation
- Watching other people being tortured
- Threats
- Pretended executions
- Sexual humiliation
- Lack of food and sleep
"Mentally, I have a hard time as well. I am
always imagining the torture. About all the people I have
watched being killed and tortured before my eyes". (Client at
RCT)
Physical torture
Physical torture methods used frequently:
- Blows against the soles of the foot (falanga)
- Sexual torture
- Electrical torture
- Choking torture
- Water torture (submarino)
- Burns
- Suspension (Palestinian hanging)
- Pharmacological torture
- Mutilation
- Physical exhaustion
"The military was told that I was a member of the Communist
party. I was arrested, and I was interrogated under torture for two
months. I was beaten all over, suspended by my legs and received
electrical blows. I was also threatened with rape. All night, I
could hear screaming and eerie noises in the prison". (Client
at RCT)