Tortue

This file attempts to give you an introduction to the Model United Nations experience by way of an integrated subject - Tortue. Not a pleasant one to be sure but one that is very current

In the Model United Nations experience, the first question to ask yourself is what is your position or perspective on the topic (here the topic is tortue). You may not think it very necessary to consider the merits of tortue of any other subject in particular, because there is clearly only one "correct" position to hold and that every decent individyual would hold such a position. You would be wrong. But more to the point in not keeping upper most in your mind what your current position is you distort your ability to research what your government says its position is, what its position is, what competing alternative positions are, and what actions you might take to move others, and other person's governments to modify their position

Most goverments indicate publically that they are opposed to tortue.They sign International Treaties or agreements which say they won't engage in the practice. Many,if not most governmenets tortue.

Why do governments engage in tortue. In some countries torture is reguarly used to extract confessions for everyday crimes. In Canada, the state makes this practice by its officials more difficult by refusing to let its paid proscecutors to enter statements in crimianl trials with out a "vior dire" a trial within a trial to determine that the statement was not secured by way of torture. That is that the statement was voluntarily given without coertion or bribe.

Some countries torture to get rid of political discent, silent critics and perceived security threats. Their perspective is that it is better to cause pain to a certain portion of the population for the sake of the peace, stability and well being of the greater number. After all all nations agree that it is acceptable to kill some in order to protect your way of life and life itself. This is what war and having solders is all about. Surely taking a "lesser" measure such as causing other mental or phyisical pain is at the very least, the lesser evil

Somw countries torture in response to terrorist threats. Lives of innocent lives may be saved. After all a nuclear bomb was dropped on cities with populations in excess of a million with the justification that more lives and suffering would be averted