Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions - Updated Edition KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 1 • Article 1 of the Convention against Torture defines torture using three cumulative elements: the intentional infliction of severe mental or physical pain; with the direct or indirect involvement of a public official; for a specific purpose. • A gender-sensitive and intersectional lens is crucial when examining torture. • Torture is prohibited under international law and can never be justified. The prohibition on torture is absolute and non-derogable. • Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is also absolutely prohibited and non-derogable. FURTHER READING Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to the Human Rights Council (2016) (A/HRC/31/57) Torture in International Law: A Guide to Jurisprudence; Association for the Prevention of Torture, Center for Justice and International Law; 2008 Defusing the Ticking Bomb Scenario: Why we must say NO to torture, always; Association for the Prevention of Torture; 2007 Human Rights Committee, general comment No. 20: replaces general comment 7 concerning prohibition of torture and cruel treatment or punishment (art. 7); 10 March 1992 Amnesty International (AI), Combating Torture and other IllTreatment: A Manual for Action (2016) Camille Giffard and Polona Tepina,The Torture Reporting Handbook (Human Rights Centre, University of Essex; 2nd edition 2015) 26