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It is a matter of dispute whether it serves any valid purpose to distinguish between degrees or levels of torture. To some opponents, "torture is torture" and should always be prohibited.  

It is a matter of dispute whether it serves any valid purpose to distinguish between degrees or levels of torture. To some opponents, "torture is torture" and should always be prohibited.  

In the West, the best known cases of torture were inflicted by ecclesiastical and political authorities during the Middle Ages. A well-known example from historical fiction occurs in ''[[Ivanhoe]]'', and well-known examples from real history can be found in the [[Malleus Maleficarum]]<ref>[http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/] The Malleus Maleficarum</ref>, a manual for [[Witch Hunt|Witch Hunters]].

In the West, the best known cases of torture were inflicted by ecclesiastical and political authorities during the Middle Ages. A well-known example from historical fiction occurs in ''[[Ivanhoe]]'', and well-known examples from real history can be found in the [[Malleus Maleficarum]]<ref>[http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/ The Malleus Maleficarum]</ref>, a manual for [[Witch Hunt|Witch Hunters]].

In the 20th century, opposition to torture on [[human rights]] grounds began, yet torture persists in countries as diverse as [[China]] and [[Sudan]]. <!-- too grisly and disgusting to mention here, but go read The Epoch Times for China. I might talk about ants and hamstringing in the Sudan article. Ed Poor. -->

In the 20th century, opposition to torture on [[human rights]] grounds began, yet torture persists in countries as diverse as [[China]] and [[Sudan]]. <!-- too grisly and disgusting to mention here, but go read The Epoch Times for China. I might talk about ants and hamstringing in the Sudan article. Ed Poor. -->

The US maintains that its [[coercive interrogation]] techniques are not "[[torture]]". Despite this, President [[George W. Bush]] used one of his first ever vetoes on the [[McCain Amendment]], which was intended to prohibit torture in stronger language that was previously used.  

The signatories to the [[Geneva Convention]] [http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/geneva03.htm] in 1949 defined relative classes of persons who may be considered "prisoners". The Bush Administration has classified [[terrorist]]s as [[Unlawful combatant]]s not associated with any signatory power and maintain previous International Conventions have not addressed this classification.

 

Toture, and 'Degrading treatment' are prohibited by the [[Geneva Convention]], which the Bush Administration insists does not apply to [[Enemy Combatants]], the new category they created specifically to describe captives suspected of being [[Terrorists]].

== References ==

== References ==