Stop Torture

Evidence and testimony shows that countries are using torture and ill-treatment under the auspices of the 'war on terror'. These countries include Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan and the United States.

There are other key countries that, through their alliances will be important targets of the campaign. These include the UK and other European states.

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. More about our campaign against torture

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

President Bush Refuses to put an end to torture in the name of civilisation

President Bush has vetoed legislation put to him by congress that would have outlawed the CIA's use of waterboarding and other controversial enhanced interrogation techniques.

• Read the full report
• Read the transcipt of President Bush's speech on why he vetoed anti-torture legislation

Jordan: Detention and torture of political suspects

Torture and ill-treatment in Jordan is as apparent now as it was 20 years ago when Amnesty International started to document the political situation there.

The Jordanian authorities continue to be complicit in torture: they maintain a system of incommunicado detention which facilitates torture and other ill-treatment of detainees and a related special security court whose judgements regularly appear to be 'confessions' which are alleged to have been extracted under torture.

The General Intelligence Department (GID) is the primary instrument of abuse of political detainees and for obtaining these so called 'confessions'.  The GID has extensive powers and near total impunity, allowing them to act virtually as a law to themselves.

Jordan's involvement in the US-led 'war on terror' has caused further concern about Jordan carrying out or facilitating torture and other ill-treatment.  Jordan has also been involved in the act of rendition and in the detention and interrogation of such suspects

Read the report Jordan: "Your Confessions are Ready for you to Sign" Detention and Torture of Political Suspects

Algeria: New report details torture by Algerian Military Security

In a new report Amnesty International exposes torture and secret detention by Algeria's 'military security' police, the DRS (Département du renseignement et de la sécurité). Beatings, electric shocks and the forced ingestion of dirty water, urine and or chemicals are documented. Algeria's President Bouteflika is visiting the UK and the two countries are expected to conclude a 'Memorandum of Understanding' to enable terror suspects to be returned to Algeria, despite the risk of torture.

Amnesty calls on Algeria to bring the DRS under control and stamp out torture. The organisation is calling on the UK to halt the forcible return of people to Algeria if they would be at risk of torture and to end the use of "diplomatic assurances" to effect such removals.

• Find out more - read the press release
• Take action - email the Algerian President