The series of Modules on Counter-Terrorism Education, developed within the Education for Justice (E4J) initiative, aim to provide a relevant and valuable resource for lecturers teaching courses on counter-terrorism in universities and academic institutions across the world. The Modules seek to enhance students’ understanding of terrorism, its implications and related issues by providing foundational knowledge on relevant international, regional and national instruments and approaches. To increase their effectiveness, the Modules aim to connect theory to practice, encourage critical thinking, and use innovative interactive teaching approaches such as experiential learning, case studies and group-based work. The Modules are multi-disciplinary and can be integrated in a series of courses ranging from law to international relations, sociology, anthropology, criminology and many other disciplines. Whilst the primary focus is on the United Nations instruments, the Modules leave room for diverse perspectives and lecturers can easily adapt them to different local and cultural contexts.
Module 9. Prohibition against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment
This Module considers another fundamental human right that is of utmost importance in the context of counter-terrorism responses (e.g. intelligence gathering efforts), namely the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The Module examines the primary related international and regional legal frameworks applicable in both peacetime and armed conflict situations, as well as a number of contemporary challenges to their articulated rights and accompanying obligations on States.
Learning outcomes
Understand the primary international and regional legal frameworks governing the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment applicable in both peacetime and armed conflict situations.
Discuss some of the definitional challenges and different approaches relating to the prohibition against torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
Consider some of the forms that violation of this prohibition may take in a counter-terrorism context.
The full module is avaliable at UNODC website