ABSTRACT
Regrettably, abuse of human rights is so widespread on a global scale that some reference must now be made in forensic pathology texts to the physical manifestations of torture. It is stated by Amnesty International (2001) that in a third of the member states of the United Nations torture of one kind or another is practised, in spite of them being signatories to United Nations resolutions banning these atrocities. According to Amnesty International’s worldwide report on torture based on a 3-year investigation (2000), currently more than 150 countries routinely torture people compared with 98 countries in their previous report in 1984.
