From Hansard 6th March 2006
Mr. Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the infliction of simulated drowning falls within the definition of torture or cruel and inhumane treatment used by the Government for the purposes of international law. [56319]
Ian Pearson: Whether the conduct described constitutes torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment for the purposes of the UN Convention Against Torture would depend on all the circumstances of the case.
Ian Pearson is a Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Here he is speaking for the Government. What is "the infliction of simulated drowning"? It is forcibly holding someone's head under water until they are nearly drowned. I would call this torture. Pearson here is answering that it "would depend on all the circumstances of the case".
So what does that mean?
See the title of this post for further clarity.
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