BBC poll on torture - 27,000 respondents, 25 countries

[stephinrome]

The BBC World Service conducted a poll on the use of Torture. Italy had the highest number of respondents refusing torture for any reason (81%).

Heated debate over use of torture

The findings of the opinion poll for the BBC World Service indicate that 59% of the world's citizens say "no": they are unwilling to compromise on the protection of human rights.

A sizeable majority of people around the world are opposed to torture even if its purpose is to elicit information that could save innocent lives from terrorist attack.

Nonetheless, almost as striking, is that almost one-third of those questioned - 29% - think that governments should be allowed to use some degree of torture in certain cases.

Overall, more than 27,000 people were questioned in 25 countries.

Read the rest at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6063800.stm

More on story with full results per country:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6063386.stm

Steph

[tocqueville]

1. Israel has the highest permissivity score

followed by.... Iraq !

[Random_Australian]

2. All right us Aussies! This is awesome! Tied with the French for 2nd!

(2nd highest "under no circumstances" that is)

America at 58%? Wow.

[Reader Rabbit]

3. I'm actually heartened by US numbers

Nearly 2/3 of us believe torture is wrong for any reason. Good! Although the way our government is channelling Torquemada, you'd never know it.