Is it alright to torture terrorists for information that would save innocent lives?
First of all, torture is not effective. This has been shown again and again by many studies. Also, too much reliance on torture will make us less inclined to favour more effective forms of counter-terrorism, such as intelligence gathering and analysing, and straight police work. It also impacts negatively on the values that form the very basis of our society. Every time we erode individual freedom, we lose the respect of others and our self-respect. I find it essential to think that I am part of a community which holds the life and the physical integrity of any man sacred, which respects its personal freedom. When my country is associated with acts of that nature, such as torture in Algeria or the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior -I’m French-, I feel ashamed, and less inclined to be a part of that society. And let’s face it, ten thousand CCTV cameras, the death penalty and torture will not stop any criminal or terrorist to act as he does.
