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The term torture refers to punishments which inflict severe pain or mutilation on prisoners. Governments, armies and tyrants have inflicted torture on opponents throughout recorded history, chiefly against [[slave]]s and [[rebel]]s, but also against political or religious dissidents.

The term torture refers to the act of inflicting severe pain or mutilation on prisoners. Governments, armies and tyrants have inflicted torture on opponents throughout recorded history, chiefly against [[slave]]s and [[rebel]]s, but also against political or religious dissidents.

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.  

The US maintains that its [[coercive interrogation]] techniques are not "[[torture]]".  President [[George W. Bush]] vetoed the [[McCain Amendment]], which was intended to tighten the definition of torture.  

The US maintains that its [[coercive interrogation]] techniques are not "[[torture]]".  President [[George W. Bush]] vetoed the [[McCain Amendment]], which was intended to tighten the definition of torture.  

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.

The signatories to the [[Geneva Convention]] <ref>[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/geneva03.htm]</ref> 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.

== References ==

== References ==