4a Opinion Tuesday, October 24, 2000 Perspective For comments, contact Ben Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com Torture still widespread worldwide This month, Amnesty International, a human rights organization, launched a global campaign against torture. Amnesty's new effort against torture promises to have a powerful impact on the struggle to eliminate this horrible kind of human suffering by combining Amnesty's Nobel peace Prize-winning human rights research with new technologies and rapid-response mechanisms to fight incidents of torture. What exactly is torture, and how widespread is it? Simply put, torture is the intenential infliction of severe physical pain or mental suffering on a human being. Torture and ill-treatment are prohibited in all circumstances under international law. The United Nations Convention against Torture refers to be deliberate and purposeful infliction of severe pain or suffering, whether physical or menal" on a person "by or at the instigation of or with he consent or acquiescence of a public official r other person acting in n official capacity." Torture unfortunately till is widespread today. umnesty International as received reports of torture and ill-treatment by tate agents in more than 50 countries since 1997, and torture was widespread or persistent in more than 70 countries. office officials are by far the most widespread perpetrators of torture and ill-treatment today. 'forture and ill-treatment was reportedly afflicted by military forces in more than 40 countries, by paramilitary forces in more than 0 countries and by intelligence services in more than 50 countries. Kyle Browning guest columnist quinionkansan.com Beating is the most common method of torure and ill-treatment today. Other common methods included electric shocks, suspension f the body, beating on the soles of the feet, unfocation, mock execution or death threat, prolonged solitary confinement, submersion in water, stubbing of cigarettes on the body, leep deprivation and sensory deprivation. Torture is an odd thing politically. While virtually no government leader in the world could defend it, torture still is practiced in more than two-thirds of the world's countries. By contrast, the death penalty, a human rights violation that is far more controversial and an issue politicians often embrace willingly, has been abolished in more than half the nations in the world. So why is torture widespread when no acceptable person would seek to justify it? One of the main reasons is that torture, unlike the death penalty, is usually carried out in secret and is, therefore, less well known to the general public. Also, suspected criminals often are the victims of torture, and when their plights do become known, they often are dismissed as getting what they deserve. Amnesty International's campaign seeks to address all of these barriers to justice. It will seek to expose torture wherever it is found and place a special emphasis upon ending impunity. Through the creation of Fast Action tops Torture (FAST), Amnesty is using new information technology to stop torture. Using the Internet and other rapid-response technology, Amnesty hopes to helpave thousands of individuals from the handsftorturers. Once or twice a month, withinours of verifying that someone is at risk of torture, Amnesty will send a FAST alert bye-mail or pager to members of the network.When a person gets the FAST alert, it takesonly a few minutes to go to the AmnestyWebite and sign prewritten action letters,and with a click of the mouse, e-mail it to the torurers and their bosses. To sign up, go towww.amnestususa.org/stontorture/fast. These actions will have an impact primarily because of the volume of letters sent and umnesty's prestige and reputation for impartial human rights work. As a Turkish security guard old one of five political detainees just days after umnesty had mobilized on their behalf this past March, "Amnesty International is making a big ass." We won't do anything to you." Of course, torture will not be eliminated by the time Amnesty is through, but it is safe to assume a few more of the guilty will have been punished, and a few more of the innocent will have been saved because of the combed efforts of many people like you. Brewing is an Overland Park senior in political science. Steve Sack / TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES By the Numbers 1. 3 Number of women in the United States who are raped every minute 1 in 4 Number of college-age women who have either been raped or suffered attempted rape surveyed who had committed acts that met the legal definition of rape 84 Percentage of men who committed such acts who said what they had done was definitely not rape 45 Percentage of repists who were under the influence of alcohol or drugs Source: National Victims Resource Center Letters to the Editor Constitutional amendment No.1 is better retirement fund In 1859, the first Kansas Constitution was drafted, and the framers included a provision to prohibit the state from becoming a stockholder in any banking institution. At the time, this made sense. Founders were determined to protect citizens from an unstable banking industry. However, the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System has always been hampered by this outdated restriction. Currently, the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System cannot allow its investment managers to buy shares of any of the profitable financial institutions traded in today's stock market. Because an entire industry is excluded from the investment pool, the system loses valuable opportunities, estimated in a single year to be as much as $45 million in lost potential revenue. Plus, it costs an extra $1 million annually in special management fees to keep the investments "bank-free." Voters can change this outdated law by voting "yes" for the constitutional amendment on their Nov. 7 general election ballots. Constitutional Amendment No. 1 makes an exception to the restriction so the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System can own bank stocks as part of its portfolio. A "yes" vote on this amendment will save time and money for the system, along with the potential for improved investment returns. That means a better retirement fund for public employees and other teachers like me. Please vote "yes" Nov. 7. It just makes sense. Retired teacher, Ozawkie Columnist's death penalty perspective off the mark Ben Voosen Embry's perspective on the death penalty in October 17's UDK is flawed, not the court's. Reform is needed, but not by banning the death penalty. Embry claims that it is unacceptable to kill an innocent person; it is. However, it's also unacceptable to allow someone to be released back into society after murdering another human. Finally, Embry thinks that the states should not have the authority to take a life for a life taken. How about this? Put the murderer in a room handcuffed to a chair, then give the family of the victim the same weapon used by the murderer and see what happens. That would be justice. Next, he brings up the practice of executing the mentally retarded. If a healthy dog continually bites people, it's put down. That being the case, if a human is incapable of realizing that killing another person is wrong, they aren't fit for society, just the same as the dog isn't. Embry then says that executions cost more than it does to keep a murderer in for life. Where is he getting this information? If it comes down to cost, why not buy a bottle of Clorox for a couple of bucks and use that for lethal injections. Erik Roesh Woodlands, Texas, senior The prisons we have today are overcrowded as it is; that's why we have to let so many felons out before they complete their sentences. Resolution: Take all people found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt directly from the courtroom to the execution room. Parking department should not increase unfair parking fees An article in the UDK that addressed paying for the new parking garage has caused me to experience frightening flashbacks because of post-traumatic parking syndrome. When I was undergated at USC, the parking department threatened to raise permit rates if the Los Angeles Raiders left town, taking with them the revenue generated by fans from the nearby Coliseum who parked on campus. The KU parking department says most of its revenue comes from permits, meters, parking for events and tickets (no wonder there's no warning issued for the first offense of not displaying your permit). Director Kearns stated that the department may use some of its capital improvements allotment rather than raise fines or rates to help pay for the new garage. But he also stated the parking board looked at the financial picture to determine if fines needed to be raised next year. Ouch! We all benefit from more parking spaces as a result of the new garage and the subsequent removal of several meters from permit lots. However, I believe it is unfair to burden permit holders with higher rates and fines if revenue shortfalls related to events such as football games are experienced. I applaud Kearns for his thinking regarding the use of capital improvements money and implore him to avoid going to the chancellor for an increase in parking rates and fines. Jeff Leone Olathe graduate student Editorial Sex crimes affect men and women Students need to commit to working together to prevent sexual violence. This week on campus as we recognize National Sexual Violence Awareness Week, it is important to acknowledge that the issues of rape, assault and incest affect both men and women. Sexual violence often is perceived as purely a woman's issue, but the truth is that no one is immune. The fact is, everyone is connected in some way to sexual violence — in its frequency or through its effects and causes. Sexual violence often also is perceived as an issue that men shouldn't get involved with. Women survivors often blame men for the pain of violence, but most men are not violent. Silence does nothing to end sexual crimes. Instead, it suggests that sexual violence is to be tolerated. Men are critical to prevention because men listen to other men. This week's activities give everyone a chance to get involved. Six focus groups centered on men's issues are scheduled. A clothesline and poster projects will be up all week around campus. These projects are designed to give victims a voice and to bring awareness. Thursday night, the Womyn Take Back the Night rally will be held in South Park. Men can participate in all activities during WTBN, except the survivor circle and march down Massachusetts Street. However, there is a separate circle for male survivors. You don't have to be a survivor to attend; you simply need to be a supporter of ending sexual violence. The intentions of Thursday evening, and the intentions of this entire week, are to promote and end to violence. Sexual violence is indeed a gender issue — an issue that affects both genders. Society needs to stop supporting institutions, laws, attitudes and behaviors that promote the domination and abuse of others. It is in all of our interests to end sexual violence. It will take the concern and commitment of all of us acting together to succeed. Kate Hazelwood for the editorial board Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. The Kansan reserves the right to edit submissions, and not all of them will be published. Standalone statements will not be printed. To read more, go to www.kansan.com. --- We don't have animal instincts because of our intellect. 图 - They should have a shake-it fest after every basketball game. Anyone who thinks marijuana should be illegal should try it. The photo and caption that went along with the penny pinchers article were inappropriate to the story. How many frogs does a girl have to kiss before she finds her Prince Charming? - Thank you to the University's grounds keepers for making the campus look so nice. 图 If Bush is elected president, I'm moving to Canada. 图 - The Stephenson Hall float was just sick. The teachers substitute for one another, why can't my friend take my test for me? [ ] 图 I just saw the article on the Stephenson Scholarship Hall float of doom. Do we really give these people scholarships? For the second year in a row, the float of doom has been pulled from the parade. Isn't it time we stop letting the fraternities have all the say? - 图 . If you think your vote matters, you're a moron. I hate the Free for All. God help us if Al Gore is elected. Why do negative comments keep on being published about the greek community? - People shouldn't complain about being broke if they can still afford their cigarettes. How to submit letters and guest columns Letters: Should be double-spaced typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and hometown if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions. Guest columns: Should be double-columned typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run. All letters and guest columns should be e-mailed to opinion@kansan.com or submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Ben Embry or Emily Hughey at 864-4924. If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4924. News editors Editor ... Nathan Willis Managing editors ... Chris Borniger, ... Kristi Ellott Kendera' rep ... Erinn Barcomb Opinion ... Ben Embry, ... Emily Hughey Sports ... Malinda Weavean Associate sports ... Jason Walker Campus ... Jessie Meyer, ... 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