Stop Torture

The so-called 'war on terror' has led to an erosion of fundamental human rights, highlighted by the increasing use and acceptance of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

We have seen and heard testimonies of 'terrorist suspects', held or formerly held in places of detention such as Guantánamo Bay and Bagram. We know that such places of detention exist in several locations globally. We know that this new trend for torture must stop. 

Amnesty's campaign against torture in the 'war on terror' was launched on 26 June 2005. The campaign highlights the harsh reality of torture and its consequences. We are campaigning to hold governments accountable for their actions and to uphold international law and the absolute prohibition of torture under any circumstances.

• Read our 12-Point Programme for the Prevention of Torture
• Read the background and key messages of the campaign (word)

When water is torture

You are tied to a board, your ankles, wrists, chest and head strapped firmly down. Water pours onto your face, flows up your nose, into your mouth, down your throat and fills your lungs and stomach.

This is waterboarding.

The CIA uses waterboarding to try to extract information from detainees in the 'war on terror'. President George Bush thinks it is a 'necessary tool'.  We think it's torture.

Watch our film on waterboarding and decide for yourself

What we want to achieve

• All states and individuals engaging in torture, or the infliction of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment to be fully investigated and held accountable
• The facilities where detainees are subjected to such treatment to be closed and detainees to be given access to full and fair trial procedures or released. No person is to be transferred to any country where they are likely to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
• All evidence extracted by these means never to be used or relied upon in legal proceedings

Further information

• USA: Torture in the name of 'civilization' - President Bush vetoes anti-torture legislation 10 March 2008
• European Union: Stopping the Trade in Tools of Torture 27 February 2007
• Pakistan: Working to stop human rights violations in the "war on terror" 8 December 2006
• Jordan: "Your confessions are ready for you to sign" - Detention and torture of political suspects 23 July 2006
  

Find out more and download country-specific fact sheets from our research headquarters