Original communication
Physical methods of torture and their sequelae: a Sri Lankan perspective

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Abstract

Methods of torture vary from country to country and sometimes within regions in the same country. Knowing torture methods used in a country or region assists in evaluating injuries, scars and other chronic sequelae of torture. Medical records of 100 victims of torture examined between 1998 and 2001 in the Judicial Medical Officer’s Office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, were perused to gather data on torture methods used in Sri Lanka during that period. Altogether 68 methods of torture had been used on these victims. They included assault with blunt and sharp weapons, burns with lighted cigarettes, ‘dry submarino’, kicking, ‘wet submarino’, ‘hanging’, electric torture, ‘falaka’ and many more. However, only 18% of victims had any physical residual effects, highlighting the typical objective of torture, which is inflicting maximum pain without causing serious injury or death.

Introduction

Torture is not a wanton display of anger. It is executed systematically to cause maximum suffering to the victim without causing death or severe disability. To achieve this objective the torturers have invented a wide range of methods. Some of these methods like ‘falaka’ and ‘submarino’ are well known. Though their popularity may vary from place to place they are being used for torture by different groups despite their many other differences. However, there are other methods improvised ad hoc by the torturers using things available at the vicinity. These methods can vary not only from country to country but also from one region to the other within the same country.

The forensic physician, who is requested to examine a torture victim, needs to understand the methods of torture used in a particular country or region to evaluate their physical sequelae with confidence. There is no doubt that fearlessness, independence and honesty are good qualities of a doctor engaged in medico-legal work. But they are not enough to fight against this awesome social evil. They should be knowledgeable and skilful in dealing with torture as their presentation can be very complex.1 Systematic and scientific documentation of torture is a step towards improving their knowledge. In addition, such documentation of torture makes it possible for the human rights activists to take the perpetrators of torture to justice both at the national and international level.2

Section snippets

Methodology

This is a retrospective study done on the case records of 100 torture victims who were examined in the Office of the Judicial Medical Officer in Colombo during the period between 1998 and 2001. The definition of torture adopted by United Nations Convention against Torture was used in this study. All the victims had been arrested mainly from the northern and eastern provinces of the country on charges of terrorism under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA)

Sex and age distribution (Fig. 1)

Eighty-nine percent were male and 11% were female. Forty percent of the victims were between 21 to 25 years. Eighty-four percent were between 16 and 35 years of age. The youngest person in this group was just 16 years of age whereas the oldest person was 61 years. Only 9% were above 40 years.

Interval between the torture and the examination (Fig. 2)

Since no victim could remember the exact date or dates of torture, interval between the torture and examination could not be calculated accurately. However, all the victims claimed that they were tortured

Discussion

This study was done on the case records of the victims of torture referred to the Office of the Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo for medico-legal examination. The singular objective of the judges, who had referred them, was to know whether the ‘detainees’ were tortured as claimed. It was very clear from the outset that the treatment of the victim was not an issue. The victim also had one expectation, which was to obtain a report from the doctor confirming their claim. We, as forensic medical

Acknowledgements

I thank Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis, Consultant Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo, Sri Lanka and Dr. M.P.A.B. Abeysinghe, Consultant Judicial Medical Officer, Negambo, Sri Lanka for their advice and support during data collection for this study.

References (6)

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