Making things worse? Interrogational torture and counter-terrorism policy

Rumney, Philip

Abstract

This article focuses on the use of interrogational torture as a counter-terrorism strategy and the possibility that its use may serve to bolster terrorist groups rather than undermine them. It will examine two case studies involving the use of illegal interrogation methods in Northern Ireland against suspected members of the IRA and the use of interrogational torture against suspected jihadist terrorists. These case studies suggest that the use of torture, along with other contributory factors, may boost support for terrorist groups, fuel anger and a desire for revenge amongst recruits to the terrorist cause. Such unintended consequences emphasise the need for policy-makers and scholars to consider a wide body of empirical evidence when advocating for the introduction of counter-terrorism measures which are subject to challenge on legal, moral and ethical grounds. This empirical evidence also poses a challenge to the critics of interrogational torture who sometimes give the impression that terrorist acts can be explained by the use of interrogational torture alone, without considering other underlying reasons for why people involve themselves in terrorism.

Citation

Rumney, P. (2013). Making things worse? Interrogational torture and counter-terrorism policy. Contemporary Issues in Law, 12(4), 339-372

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2013
• Journal: Contemporary Issues in Law
• Print ISSN: 1357-0374
• Publisher: Lawtext Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 339-372
• Keywords: interrogational torture, counter-terrorism policy
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/940189
• Publisher URL: http://www.lawtext.com/lawtextweb/default.jsp?PageID=2