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| Terror Networks |
| Terrorism: Almost One Third Favour Torture, Global Poll Shows |
| 2006-10-19 |
| London, 19 Oct. (AKI) - Nearly a third of people worldwide back the use of torture in prisons in some circumstances, the results of a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) survey suggest. Although 59 percent were opposed to torture, 29 percent thought it acceptable to use some degree of torture to combat terrorism. While most polled in the US are against torture, opposition there is less robust than in Europe and elsewhere. More than 27,000 people in 25 countries were asked if torture was acceptable if it could provide information to save innocent lives. Some 36 percent of those questioned in the US agreed that this use of torture was acceptable, while 58 percent were unwilling to compromise on human rights. "The dominant view around the world is that terrorism does not warrant bending the rules against torture," said Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA), whose organisation helped conduct the survey, told the BBC. All of the countries surveyed have signed up to the Geneva Conventions which prohibit the use of torture and cruel and degrading behaviour. But countries that face political violence are more likely to accept the idea that some degree of torture is permissible because of the extreme threat posed by terrorists. Israel has the largest percentage of those polled endorsing the use of a degree of torture on prisoners, with 43% saying they agreed that some degree of torture should be allowed. However, a larger percentage - 48% - think it should remain prohibited. Other countries that polled higher levels of acceptance of the use of torture include Iraq (42%), the Philippines (40%), Indonesia (40%), Russia (37%) and China (37%). The Israeli figure conceals a stark difference in attitude within the country, split along religious lines. A majority of Jewish respondents in Israel, 53%, favour allowing governments to use some degree of torture to obtain information from those in custody, while 39% want clear rules against it. But Muslims in Israel, who represent 16% of the total number polled, are overwhelmingly against any use of torture. Gee, I wonder why? Meanwhile opposition to the practise is highest in Italy, where 81% of those questioned think torture is never justified. Australia, France, Canada, the UK and Germany also registered high levels of opposition to any use of torture. Btw, this reminds me that yesterday the teevee talking head told us "the USA had just legalized torture", not something we Sophisticated and Nuanced Europeans would do, because we're so much more civilized. The survey was carried out for the BBC World Service by polling firm Globescan and the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA). |
| Posted by:anonymous5089 |
| #9 We're getting closer Old Patriot, one more good attack and maybe they'll be ready to go for the neck. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2006-10-19 18:07 |
| #8 Some 36 percent of those questioned in the US agreed that this use of torture was acceptable, while 58 percent were unwilling to compromise on human rights. Yet almost 100% of terrorists have no qualms about blowing up non-combattants, killing women and children, bombing hospitals and places of worship, and other "human rights" violations. The bleeding-hearts don't see the double standard they demand the US adhere to. These people are deluded fools who need to get out more. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-10-19 15:51 |
| #7 Rephrase the question properly. Do you find it acceptable to torture Mooselimb terrorists to get information which may save thousands of innocent lives ? Favorable response goes to 98.5 %. Only ones not in favor = Muzzies, of course. |
| Posted by: SpecOp35 2006-10-19 12:46 |
| #6 Nobody caught the ringer, eh? All of the countries surveyed have signed up to the Geneva Conventions which prohibit the use of torture and cruel and degrading behaviour. Terrorists DO NOT qualify for protection under the Geneva Convention. People need to get this straight. It is a critical distinction and one that the terrorists weaponize against us along with every other Western trait of decency, kindness, honor and courtesy. While forms of terrorism have existed over the centuries, the concept of a single religious organization using non-military combatants to wage assymetric warfare for political ends is rather different from previous models. Weapons of mass destruction change the equation even further. Due to Islam's obsession with death, capital punishment has little deterrent effect. The knowledge that excruciating interrogation awaits offenders may provide at least some degree of mitigation. Simply put, the threat of Islamist terrorism is so profound that any and all means to combat it must be utilized, right down to nuclear weapons. The constant stream of Islamic atrocities is rapidly undermining my resistance to first use of nuclear weapons. Islam is unflinching in its willingness to use whatever means that are available. We must begin steeling ourselves to the prospect of turning a similar spectrum of options against this virulent enemy. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-10-19 12:29 |
| #5 I often wonder just how the NYT and other demdiots would react if we had 100 pertent proof that there was a nuke hidden in NYC and the only way to find it would be to put the screws to somebody. |
| Posted by: Cheaderhead 2006-10-19 12:12 |
| #4 SPoD: Surely, you don't expect us to define torture, do you? I mean, we're still working on the definition of "terrorism." I doubt it'll even be brought up before I leave "office." |
| Posted by: Kofi Annan 2006-10-19 10:01 |
| #3 Survey funded by biased BBC finds what BBC wants, it's not news. My question is what does the BBC consider torture? Why is it torture when practiced by one nation but not when say Cuba, Iran or some other BBC favored state practices it? The BBC fair game in the WoT, they are in full support of the other side. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2006-10-19 09:22 |
| #2 I think this is because you are sensitivized (?) to the whole WOT/WOI problem, while in Europe, as far as I can tell, there's a denial about that issue... even the "clash of civilization" idea is denied, though this has lessened a bit I think (now the meme is "let's be very nice to the Moderate Muslims, so we can avoid the clash of civilization those brutal americans want to impose us to impose their rule on the worl"). |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-10-19 07:56 |
| #1 While most polled in the US are against torture, opposition there is less robust than in Europe and elsewhere. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-10-19 07:43 |