Reported Methods, Distributions, and Frequencies of Torture Globally

Abstract

ImportanceDespite its prohibition by the United Nations Convention against Torture and other international treaties, torture has been perpetrated against countless individuals worldwide, and health care practitioners globally are increasingly encountering refugee torture survivors in their clinical practices. The methods, geographic distribution, and frequency of torture globally are not well described, which limits health care practitioners’ ability to adequately diagnose and treat the sequelae of torture.ObjectiveTo rank the commonness of torture methods and identify the regions of the world with which they are associated.Data SourcesFor this systematic review and meta-analysis, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 2021.Study SelectionIncluded studies were peer-reviewed articles in English, contained an independent sample population of individuals who experienced torture, and outlined the type(s) of torture experienced. Excluded studies were not peer reviewed, lacked an independent sample population, or did not specify torture methods. Articles were chosen for inclusion by 2 independent and blinded reviewers, and a third, independent reviewer resolved discrepancies. Overall, 266 articles—15.3% of the 1739 studies initially identified for full review—met the inclusion criteria.Data Extraction and SynthesisData abstraction and quality assessment followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data were extracted by 2 independent and blinded reviewers into predefined templates, and a third, independent reviewer resolved discrepancies. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Downs and Black Checklist.Main Outcomes and MeasuresTorture methods were ranked by their average frequencies, numbers of reporting studies, and numbers of countries wherein the methods occurred.ResultsA total of 9937 titles and abstracts were screened, and 266 studies encompassing 103 604 individuals (13 350 men, 5610 women, and 84 644 unspecified) were analyzed. Torture was reported for 105 countries; 21 methods accounted for 84% of all reported methods and 10 methods accounted for 78% of all physical tortures. The top 3 methods were beating or blunt-force trauma (reported in 208 studies and 59 countries; average frequency, 62.4%; 95% CI, 57.7%-67.1%), electrical torture (reported in 114 studies and 28 countries; average frequency, 17.2%; 95% CI, 15.0%-19.4%), and starvation or dehydration (reported in 65 studies in 26 countries; average frequency, 12.7%; 95% CI, 10.2%-15.2%). According to the Downs and Black appraisal tool, 50 studies were rated as good or excellent and 216 as fair or poor.Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings of this study suggest that torture remains widespread. Although innumerable torture methods exist, a limited number account for the vast majority of reported tortures. So that targeted therapies may be developed, additional investigation is needed to better elucidate the sequelae associated with the most common torture methods, described here.

Health impact of electric discharge weapons: a review of case studies

“…The reviewed case reports document cases of loss of vision, permanent damage to brain tissue, severe burns requiring skin drafting, incapacitating damage to nerves and tendons, potentially fatal conditions like pneumothorax and renal failure, and even death following exposure to an EDW. In compiling the range of adverse effects of EDWs one is reminded of the effects of electric torture, the second most common form of torture globally (Liu et al, 2021;Milewski et al, 2023).…”

Treatments and interventions addressing chronic somatic pain in torture survivors: A systematic review

“…Torture is associated with a wide range of chronic health conditions [ 3 , 4 ]. Pain and pain-related disabilities are the most common physical sequelae [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Errors in Author Affiliations

“…In the Original Investigation titled “Reported Methods, Distributions, and Frequencies of Torture Globally: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” 1 published on October 3, 2023, there were errors in the author affiliations. Dr Pilato’s affiliation should have been Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.…”