Seven in ten French people condemn torture, according to a survey. But almost 3 out of 10 people are still in favor of it against an enemy fighter.
As fighting intensifies around the Syrian city of Aleppo, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) published on Monday the results of a large opinion poll conducted around the world on various themes related to war. While the idea that limits should be placed on war is shared by the overwhelming majority of those interviewed, some views on torture and civilian casualties are very worrying.
Entitled “Voices of War”, the survey was conducted between June and September 2016 among more than 17,000 people from 16 countries. Among them were ten countries in the grip of armed conflict (including Iraq, Afghanistan and South Sudan), as well as the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (the “5-Ps” , namely China, United States, France, United Kingdom and Russia).
Sanctuarize hospitals and their staff
In the encouraging results, it can be noted that 80% of those questioned believe that combatants should take all possible precautions to spare civilians when they attack the opposing camp, and they are just as numerous to condemn the attacks perpetrated on hospitals. , ambulances and medical personnel with the aim of weakening the enemy.
On the other hand, no less than 36% of those polled think that it is acceptable to torture an enemy combatant taken prisoner in order to extract from him military information of prime importance. An identical trend in France, since 26% of French people share this opinion. Moreover, a little less than half of the people questioned (48%) condemn this practice – whereas they were 66% at the end of a survey carried out in 1999. On this point, the French stand out because they are still 71% to condemn it.
The dramatic consequences of torture
“The results of the investigation show that we must strongly reaffirm a fundamental rule: torture in all its forms is prohibited,” said ICRC President Peter Maurer. It is not by demonizing the enemy that we will ensure our security. Even during conflict, everyone should be treated humanely. The use of torture can only lead to the worst. Torture has dramatic consequences for those directly affected by it and harms entire societies for generations. “
Finally, according to the results of the survey, people living in countries affected by armed conflict or near a country at war seem more attached to the principle of humanity as enshrined in the laws. of the war. A figure attests to this divide: 26% of respondents living in the “5-P” – against 14% in countries affected by armed conflict – think that depriving the civilian population of essential products – food, water, medicines , etc. – in order to weaken the enemy is simply “part of the war” …
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