Majority of citizens in 25 nations oppose torture on moral grounds

Indians, Kenyans, Nigerians, South Koreans and Turks likeliest to support the use of torture in circumstances where innocent lives could be saved.

By ALLISON HOFFMAN, THE JERUSALEM POST, NEW YORK
toture 248.88 GENERIC (photo credit: Courtesy)
toture 248.88 GENERIC
(photo credit: Courtesy)
A majority of people surveyed in 25 nations oppose the use of torture in all circumstances because it is immoral, according to data released Tuesday. The French and the British are likeliest to support clear rules banning the practice, with 82 percent of respondents in both countries saying any use of torture weakens human rights standards. Indians were the likeliest to support the use of torture in circumstances where innocent lives could be saved, at 59%, while majorities in Kenya, Nigeria, South Korea and Turkey agreed. "Some people were ready to make exceptions, but very few said they were ready to abandon the prohibition against torture - it's not limitless," said Steven Kull, director of World Public Opinion, a project of the University of Maryland-based Program on International Policy Attitudes. Respondents also indicated widespread support for the United Nations' involvement in promoting and enforcing human rights, with only Palestinians and Russians saying they didn't believe the UN should do more. The data, culled from polls conducted by local agencies over the past year, reflected general support for women's rights, freedom of political expression, and freedom to practice religion, Kull said. "There is an endorsement of human rights and a perception that things are getting better," he said. The survey was released ahead of Wednesday's 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights.