Why Not Torture Terrorists?

Moral, Practical and Legal Aspects of the "Ticking Bomb" Justification for Torture
Erscheinungsjahr 2008
ISBN: 978-0-19-954091-4
Verlag: OUP Oxford

Buch, Englisch, 448 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 837 g

The book addresses a dilemma at the heart of the 'War on Terror': is it ever justifiable to torture terrorists in order to save the lives of innocent civilians; the so-called 'ticking bomb' scenario?

The book first analyzes the ticking bomb dilemma as a pure moral one, facing the individual would-be torturer. A 'never-say-never' utilitarian position is pitted against a 'minimal absolutist' view that some acts are never justifiable, and that torture is one such act.

It then looks at the issues that arise once a state has decided to sanction torture in extreme situations: when, how, and whom to torture; the institutionalization of torture; its effects on society; and its efficacy in combatting terrorism in the shorter and longer runs.

Four models of legalized torture are next examined-including current ones in Israel and the USA and the idea of torture warrants.

Finally, related legal issues are analyzed; among them the lawfulness of coercive interrogation under international law and attempts to allow torture 'only' after the fact, for instance by applying the criminal law defence of necessity.

A 'minimal absolutist' view - under which torture, whether by private individuals or by state officials, must be prohibited absolutely in law, policy and practice, and allowing no exceptions for ticking bomb situations - is defended throughout.

Zielgruppe

Human rights and legal professionals, academics and advanced students in philosophy, politics and law interested in the arguments surrounding the prohibition on torture and the 'war on terror'.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Ginbar, Yuval

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Rechtsphilosophie, Rechtsethik
• Rechtswissenschaften Internationales Recht und Europarecht Internationales Recht Internationales Strafrecht, Internationales Verfahrensrecht
• Rechtswissenschaften Internationales Recht und Europarecht Internationales Recht Internationale Menschen- und Minderheitenrechte, Kinderrechte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Gewalt Terrorismus, Religiöser Fundamentalismus
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Menschenrechte, Bürgerrechte
• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtsphilosophie, Rechtsethik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Sir Nigel Rodley: Foreword
Introduction
Part I: Private Morality: Is it Morally Justifiable for an Individual to Torture a Terrorist in Order to Save Many Innocent Lives?
1: Introduction
2: The wider moral Issue: Do consequences or 'no go areas' determine what is ethical in an extreme situation?
3: Consequentialist argument for torturing in a ticking bomb situation
4: The minimal absolutist approach I: anti-absolutism as morally untenable
5: The minimal absolutist approach II: Arguments for an absolute prohibition on torture
Part II: Public, Practical Morality: Is it Morally Justifiable for a State to Torture in Order to Save Many Innocent Lives?
6: Introduction
7: Is there a 'public morality' that is distinct from 'private morality'?
8: 'Slippery slope' and other dangers
Part III: Legalising Torture 1 - Four Models
9: Introduction
10: The Landau model in Israel
11: The 'torture warrants' model
12: Israel's High Court of Justice model
13: The USA's 'high value detainees' model
Part IV: Legalising Torture 2 - Three Issues
14: Introduction
15: Is it (internationally) legal? Is it torture?
16: The 'defence of necessity' model as legal grounds for torture
Part V: Conclusions

Über Autor(innen)

Yuval Ginbar serves as a legal adviser to Amnesty International and a senior adviser to the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel.