Worldwide there is a pattern of racially motivated torture and ill-treatment by state officials. Many of the victims of police brutality in Europe and the United States are black or members of ethnic minorities. Children have reportedly been tortured or ill-treated in more than 50 countries in the past three years, proving that youth is no protection against torture. Children in police custody are particularly vulnerable to rape and sexual abuse. Discrimination against women continues to take violent forms - women are raped in custody or as spoils of war , their genitals are mutilated in the name of tradition, they are flogged or killed in the name of honour.
Women live in a state of torture in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
However, many governments choose not to bring torturers to justice. More shocking than the statistics on torture is the fact that torture can be stopped but is allowed to persist. Governments continue to allow torture and ill-treatment to go on, often turning a blind eye or using it to hold on to power. Amnesty International is of the opinion that only public pressure can force governments to take action to stop torture. Amnesty International s report on torture is available at the Amnesty International South Africa campaign website .