Torture Journal

This issue opens with an editorial by Pau Pérez-Sales and Sara Lopez-Martin, which examines the use of house arrest as a form of psychological torture. Drawing on legal analysis, case studies, and forensic assessments, the authors argue that administrative confinement—especially when indefinite and lacking judicial safeguards—can constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and in some cases, psychological torture. The editorial explores the use of house arrest in various countries, with in-depth cases from Tunisia, Iran, and Occupied Palestine, emphasising the psychological harm inflicted by prolonged surveillance, social isolation, and structural coercion.

Marta Guarch-Rubio et al. present a research paper on posttraumatic symptoms among Syrian women asylum seekers stranded at the Idomeni camp in Greece. Using a mixed-methods approach, the authors document high rates of PTSD among participants, linking their trauma not only to past torture experiences but also to the ongoing stressors within refugee camps. The study highlights the concept of “torturing environments” as a framework for understanding mental health deterioration in restrictive migratory settings.

Laura Donato and colleagues report on the forensic recovery and study of human remains at Al-Tahira Cathedral in Iraq. Through medico-legal and anthropological methods, the research reconstructs evidence of mass atrocities against civilians, contributing to transitional justice and historical memory efforts in post-conflict contexts.

Miguel Diaz and Inger Wallin Lundell offer a narrative review exploring the long-term impact of torture, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD on executive functions. The review synthesises findings from neuroscience, clinical psychology, and rehabilitation, calling for integrated neurocognitive care in rehabilitation programs for torture survivors.

Farhin Islam et al. examine a public health emergency arising from the use of less-lethal weapons during Bangladesh’s 2024 student protests. Their analysis documents widespread ocular injuries and situates the crisis within broader patterns of state repression, raising concerns about impunity and inadequate medical response.

Jesús Silva et al. provide a case series of maxillofacial injuries caused by ballistic projectiles in Chile. Framing these injuries within a human rights perspective, the authors underscore the importance of documentation for litigation and rehabilitation in the aftermath of political violence.

Marc Cassone and colleagues present a case report on “telefono”-type auditory injuries sustained by migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Drawing from clinical data, the authors highlight how this specific torture method affects migrants in transit and emphasize the need for specialized assessment protocols.

In the news section, Marco Bertotto and collaborators report on the founding of a new support network for survivors of torture in Italy. The article outlines the network’s objectives and significance in strengthening survivor-led initiatives and peer support mechanisms.

Cecilia de Armas Michelis introduces the OMCT Global Torture Index, a new tool for measuring and comparing the prevalence of torture worldwide. The piece details the methodology behind the index and its potential for advocacy and accountability.

Finally, a letter to the editor by S. M. Yasir Arafat addresses the personal and professional consequences of publicly criticizing WHO leadership nominations, shedding light on the risks faced by health professionals engaged in global governance debates.