“This is torture,” is a commonly used expression in our society, but as Americans it is difficult to imagine what torture really is. The truth is, torture is a worldwide epidemic that victimizes men, women, and children. According to the Survivors International website, over 150 countries throughout the world use torture. Torture is not just a process that is practiced to gain information from individuals, such as prisoners of war, but also as a way to control citizens and instill fear throughout an entire country.

     As an American I believe that it is easy to isolate myself from many of the horrors that exist in our world, such as torture, because it feels so distant. This really is not the case; torture is right in our backyards. Hundreds of torture survivors live in the Tampa Bay area. A center opened there four years ago, that helps people who are experiencing the effects of torture. In addition to the many that reside in the Tampa Bay area, there are approximately 500,000 survivors of torture in the U.S alone (SJA Website). Not only are survivors walking among us, but torturers are as well. There are currently 1,000 to 10,000 torturers living in the United States (SJA Website).    

What is torture? Torture is an intentional infliction of physical or mental pain that is used to obtain information or to punish someone (Survivors International). Powerful groups, such as an institution or government, mainly inflict torture.

The pain does not stop when the torture ends. According to Sr. Diana Ortiz, an Ursaline Sister and a victim of torture, “surviving is far worse than the torture itself.” Survivors do not have the privilege of forgetting the past. The effects haunt the victims, some experience chronic body pain, depression, flashbacks, anxiety, guilt, self-hatred, sleeplessness, and forgetfulness (St. Petersburg Times Website).

Torture victims can eventually recover from the pain, but their lives are permanently changed because of the degree to which they were abused. People that have been tortured experienced rape, being blindfolded, stripped, suspended by their wrists, electric shock, burning, beaten on the soles or feet, and the extraction of fingernails and toenails. Those are just a few methods of torture that exist. Of the various types of torture, Sr. Diana Ortiz described one of the worst being, having to listen and watch others being assaulted. In many cases, individuals are forced to watch their loved ones being tortured.

Aside from survivor support groups and centers for recovery, there is another organization that works towards the prevention and end to torture. This group is Amnesty International, which is a “worldwide movement of people who campaign for all human rights” (Amnesty International Website). More than 1.8 million members belong to and support Amnesty International. These members live all over the world and currently 150 countries are united through Amnesty (Amnesty International Website).

     Amnesty International is independent from any government control or ideals. Nor does it support any specific religious organization. While it does not directly support these groups, Amnesty does not oppose them either. Amnesty focuses on the people it is working to protect and concentrates on securing their rights.

     Amnesty International advocates for those who have no voice. Its mission is to “undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.” According to Amnesty, they have a vision of a world in which everyone has equal human rights (AI Website). Amnesty’s vision is unique in that it sees the importance of preventing torture, as well as support for torture victims.

     Amnesty International provides a way for people around the world to unite and act together. It also provides information on people that are being held captive in different regions of the world. Amnesty International encourages people to write letters, e-mails, send faxes and those actions have made a huge impact over the past thirty years. “Members have helped save thousands of lives by stopping torture, preventing executions and protecting human rights defenders” (AI Website). Through their words, it signals to the violators that their actions are being witnessed, and they will be held accountable. Amnesty International provides news that educates its members and observers. This truth raises awareness and encourages people to act now. Not only do members write on behalf of torture victims, they also participate in protests that promote human rights, and provide many volunteer opportunities. Amnesty even has a place on campuses across the U.S. Student groups meet regularly to write letters and plan actions for victims of torture, and other human rights violations (AI USA). Amnesty is also an organization that promotes hope, “sometimes our solidarity keeps hope alive” (AI Website). Its message reaches out to “the prisoners, the relatives seeking justice, and to the human rights defenders working in live-threatening situations” (AI Website).

     In relation to Church and Social Justice, torture is a violation of many of the key themes that the Catholic Church teaches and demands. The catechism of the Catholic Church specifically denounces the use of torture, “torture…is contrary to the respect for the person and for human dignity” (Vatican Website). While Amnesty International does not take on the ideals of institutions like the Catholic Church, its principles interconnect with many of the key themes. Amnesty International specifically relates to this course because it practices and promotes human dignity, community and the common good, participation, solidarity, the role of government, and the promotion of peace.

     The Catholic Church states that human life is sacred because we are all created in the image and likeness of God. This sacredness is the foundation of Catholic social teaching, and it is the basis for Amnesty International. This organization would not exist without its constant belief that as humans we are entitled to specific rights because we are all equal, therefore, we deserve equal treatment. When Amnesty International says that we all deserve equal treatment, they mean it. Even terrorists have the same rights, whether they respect those rights or not (AI Website). There are fundamental human rights, and someone’s behavior and actions should not determine the physical degree to which they are punished. Violators should be held accountable, but that punishment must be justifiable.

     Torture directly affects the growth of our global community. Amnesty International is working to achieve this common good through a community that is organized the way it should be. A community that protects human life and the dignity that comes with that life. Amnesty holds the highest respect for all human life, which is visible in their mission, and voice. This respect that is inherently a part of who they are has the potential to transcend the pain that occurs worldwide, such as torture, and strengthen the common good.

     Amnesty International relies on its members to publicly educate people on the abuses of human life, and influence others to help stop it. This worldwide network is essential in making a difference in the lives of torture victims. Members of Amnesty are relied on to take immediate action through writing letters and using their voice. Without the participation of its members Amnesty would not exist, and their voice would not be heard. According to Catholic social teachings, “it is a fundamental demand of justice and a requirement for human dignity that all people be assured a minimum level of participation in the community” (OSJSPM Website). This requirement of participation that the Catholic Church calls for is a part of Amnesty International. Amnesty does not discriminate and it relies on voices from around the world to help in their crusade against the violators of human life. Once again, active participation is the heart of Amnesty.

     Similar to the Catholic Church, Amnesty holds the belief that we are one human family. The effects of torture will ultimately harm others members of the human family, whether they are witnesses or blind to the problem. With the continuing practice of torture the further the sanctity of human life will be removed for our global community. International cooperation is an important element that Amnesty International strives for (AI Website). Again, Amnesty does not determine value based on race or religion, but rather the intrinsic equality we are all blessed with. “Loving our neighbor” is an evident part of Amnesty. Amnesty reaches out across the globe to all people, and with that comes love and concern for others. Solidarity is a key factor because they are present all over the world, in 150 different countries. That global outreach reinforces the Catholic teaching of solidarity.

     Catholic social teaching promotes the active and positive role of the government. The government “is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good” (OSJSPM). Without the governments assistance members of society ca not meet these goals. Amnesty International is a voice that serves as a reminder to the government that those needs are not being met. While they challenge the government, it is done out of concern for the problem of torture, not to create chaos. Amnesty is solely responsible for funding and no money is accepted from the government (AI Website). Amnesty states that the government should not only publicly denounce torture, but also use laws to prosecute those who practice torture. Obviously torture is not sanctioned by the government, but it still occurs. The American government covers this up with terms like “coercive interrogation.” Amnesty feels that this method of “interrogation” has the possibility to lead to beatings, and ultimately severe torture. Accusations have been made against the American Government that they have been involved or partook in acts of torture. The most recent case was American soldiers torturing Iraqi soldiers. This violation was supposedly looked down upon by the government, but it does make me wonder. What really happens out there, what is it we do not know, and what is it we do not see? In 2003, our President stated that we will eliminate torture worldwide because we will lead by example (Whitehouse Website). Modeling that moral behavior is difficult when the government continuously contradicts itself. For example, here we are in the midst of a “war on terror,” but truly some could argue that the continuous use of torture within this war is adding to the terror (AI Website). Amnesty has a grasp on that and repeatedly makes statements against torture and the role the government needs to take (AI Website).

     Ultimately, Amnesty International is working towards peace. Their vision includes a world in which everyone’s human dignity is sacred and the violation of it would no longer exist. Amnesty is striving for people’s basic human rights to be met. This can not be achieved in one section of the world, it needs to be a universal concept, and that is why Amnesty is an International group. With peace comes justice, and that is what Amnesty promotes. If their continuous campaign to eliminate torture is successful, peace and justice will emerge. Until that happens they remain constant promoters of peace internationally.

     I believe that there is a lot of emphasis on what we as Americans, or even as an overall global community, are “not” doing. After researching torture I realize how untrue that is. Around the world there are so many different people, groups, and organizations like Amnesty International that are trying to make a difference. Amnesty started because of one mans horrific reaction to imprisonment that was occurring in Portugal. From his reaction thousands of people responded, and now form Amnesty International. The impact people have on each other is amazing, and the ripple effect that can follow. Maybe not all of these individuals are specifically educated on the social teachings the Catholic Church promotes, but those teachings are in many ways inherently a part of them.

     The dehumanization that takes place during torture is unimaginable for most human beings. It is obvious that torture needs to be eliminated from our world, and more so the justification of the practice. Torture goes against every key principle the Catholic Church teaches. It is a violation of human dignity and the sacredness we each possess. Amnesty International recognizes that our human rights are under attack, and because of that they are fighting to stop torture and other ill-treatments around the world.