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Book Cover
E-book
Author Abrahamian, Ervand, 1940-

Title Tortured confessions : prisons and public recantations in modern Iran / Ervand Abrahamian
Published Berkeley : University of California Press, ©1999

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Description 1 online resource (vii, 279 pages)
Contents 1. Reza Shah -- 2. Mohammad Reza Shah -- 3. The Islamic Republic -- 4. Tudeh Recantations -- 5. Mass Executions of 1988
Summary The role of torture in recent Iranian politics is the subject of Ervand Abrahamian's important and disturbing book. Although Iran officially banned torture in the early twentieth century, Abrahamian provides documentation of its use under the Shahs and of the widespread utilization of torture and public confession under the Islamic Republican governments. His study is based on an extensive body of material, including Amnesty International reports, prison literature, and victims' accounts that together give the book a chilling immediacy. 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 honor, 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. Abrahamian 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. Designed to win the hearts and minds of the masses, such public confessions--now enhanced by technology--continue as a means to legitimize those in power and to demonize "the enemy."
Analysis amnesty international reports
banned torture in 20th century
chilling
confessions a primary propaganda tool
disturbing
documentation of use under shahs
islamic republican governments
prison literature
role of torture in iranian politics
systematic physical torture
torture and public confession
victims accounts
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 257-272) and index
Notes English
Print version record
Subject Torture -- Iran
Political prisoners -- Iran
Confession (Law) -- Iran
Punishment -- Iran
SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Penology.
HISTORY / Middle East / General
Confession (Law)
Political prisoners
Politics and government
Punishment
Torture
Politischer Gefangener
Folter
Politieke gevangenen.
Martelen.
Bekentenis.
Social Welfare & Social Work.
Social Sciences.
Criminology, Penology & Juvenile Delinquency.
Prisons -- Iran.
Torture -- Iran.
SUBJECT Iran -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85067909
Subject Iran
Iran
Form Electronic book
LC no. 98042989
ISBN 9780520922907
0520922905
0585081263
9780585081267
9780520216235
0520216237
9780520218666
0520218663