Crime Quote by Henry Giroux
“The alternative position to whether torture is acceptable - that's not an alternative position, that's barbarism. The question here is not whether torture is acceptable or whether it works. It should be simply seen as a war crime. There's no other position on torture.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Human Rights, 2015
Torture is unequivocally a war crime, not a matter of debate or effectiveness.
In simple terms: Torture is barbaric and illegal.
Key Takeaway
Reject any justification for torture.
Themes
human rights
war crimes
ethics
Mood
serious
determined
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- military tribunals
- humanitarian NGOs
- legal education
Key Concepts
moral absolutism
international law
Questions to Reflect On
- Can societies ever truly eliminate torture?
- What mechanisms best enforce anti‑torture norms?
A Different Perspective
Some argue torture can be justified in emergencies, but such claims ignore legal and moral standards.
