Tortured Confessions

Prisons and Public Recantations in Modern Iran

By:

Ervand Abrahamian

Format:

Paperback / softback

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Description

The role of torture in late-20th century Iranian politics is the subject of this text. Although Iran officially banned torture in the early 20th century, the author provides documentation of its use under the Shahs and of the widespread utilization of torture and public confession under the Islamic Republican governments. The study is based on an extensive body of material, including Amnesty International reports, prison literature and victims' accounts. According to human rights organizations, Iran has been at the forefront of countries using systematic physical torture in recent years, especially for political prisoners. Is the government's goal to ensure social discipline? To obtain information? Neither seem likely, because torture is kept secret and victims are brutalized until something other than information is obtained: a public confession and ideological recantation. For the victim, whose honour, reputation and self-respect are destroyed, the act is a form of suicide. In Iran a subject's "voluntary confession" reaches a huge audience via television. The accessibility of television and use of videotape have made such confessions a primary propaganda tool, says Abrahamian, and because torture is hidden from the public, the victim's confession appears to be self-motivated, increasing its value to the authorities. The text compares Iran's public recantations to campaigns in Maoist China, Stalinist Russia and the religious inquisitions of early modern Europe, citing the eerie resemblance in format, language and imagery.

Author Biography:

Ervand Abrahamian is Professor of History at Baruch College, City University of New York. His publications include Khomeinism: Essays on the Islamic Republic (California, 1993).

Release date NZ

June 16th, 1999

Author

Ervand Abrahamian

Audience

Professional & Vocational

Illustrations

1 line illustration, 7 tables

Pages

284

Dimensions

152x229x18

ISBN-13

9780520218666

Product ID

7448794

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