Crimes by the Government

Waterboarding
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Question: Evaluate waterboarding, a torture technique that dates back over 100 years. Do you believe it is an effective means of torture especially because it does not leave any marks on its victim?
Currently, there has been increasing cases of torture as a method of obtaining information from a suspect even though torture has been prohibited in the world. Citing a recent interview, President Trump made it clear that in order to keep the United States Safe he will do all it takes even if it means resorting to waterboarding alongside other forms of torture (Dando, 2017). The biggest contention currently, is the use of waterboarding to obtain information from detainees and is as a result of President Trump’s comments as he made revelations that the US intelligence assured him that torture works. Being one of the oldest forms of torture, waterboarding instigates a drowning sensation. The captive is covered with a clothing or a wrap on his or her face and water is poured on the breathing passage which induces breathing difficulties to the victim (Dando, 2017). The effects of this method of torture are so dramatic even though there are no physical injuries. Waterboarding causes both psychological and physical suffering because affects an individual’s will.
It is argued that waterboarding serves as an effective method of obtaining information from a victim who could otherwise hold it. Even though several reports by CIA show that waterboarding on several occasions led to the capture of terrorists, there is no empirical evidence if it really works (Shane, 2009).

Its effectiveness, therefore, cannot be empirically verified using scientific research because it cannot be tested in the lab. Moreover, medical experts and psychologists hold that waterboarding induces severe psychological and physiological pain and stress to the detainee. The reason why this method is not an effective tool for obtaining information from a suspect is clearly published in scientific literature. These literature report that in situations of extreme pain (psychological and physical) and stress the human cognitive process disintegrates and these pain and stress might induce false memory. As a result, the ability to recall some information is affected and this leads to reduced memory performance and decision making. Even though interrogators might be sure that a suspect has got all the information they need, using coercive means like waterboarding might, therefore, end up affecting the amount and quality of information they will obtain (Shane, 2009). Therefore, interrogators should refrain from using waterboarding and other forms of torture and adopt non-coercive means of obtaining information from valued detainees because they have much to offer to those bestowed with the role of intelligence.
References
Dando, Corol. (January 26, 2017). I specialize in the psychology of torture, so I know the truth behind Trump’s claims that waterboarding works. Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/donald-trump-president-torture-waterboarding-works-psychologist-investigate-truth-claim-a7547676.html
Shane, Scott. (April 19, 2009). Waterboarding Used 266 Times on 2 Suspects. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/world/20detain.html