Death threats

Nature

Death threats are common for individuals with a high public profile and for members of well known institutions. They are intended to intimidate an individual or institution to demand ransom payments or change behaviour. In some cases they are intended to disrupt normal operations such as air flights. A number of death threats are received at examination time in American secondary schools. A third reason for death threats is publicity.

The use of death threats by government institutions and government sponsored groups as a form of torture designed to break down the will of the prisoner by demonstrating the utter helplessness of the person being tortured and the ultimate power of the torturers. Death threats are frequently accompanied by mock executions of the prisoner, threats of mutilation such as castration and amputation and threats of sexual abuse. Death threats are also indirect, such as, being forced to watch executions and being held with other prisoners to be executed.

Background

Death threats have been documented throughout history, often surfacing during periods of political unrest or social upheaval. Their global significance became increasingly recognized in the late 20th century, as advances in communication technology enabled threats to be issued anonymously and across borders. High-profile cases involving activists, journalists, and public figures have drawn international attention, prompting legal and societal responses to address the psychological and societal impacts of this pervasive form of intimidation.

Incidence

The use of death threats as a means of torture has been reported in the following countries:

[Africa]

Egypt, Kenya, Libyan AJ, Rwanda, Somalia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

[America]

Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Suriname

[Asia]

Bangladesh, Indonesia, Israel, Korea Rep, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan (Rep of China)

[Europe]

Italy, Romania, Yugoslavia

Claim

Death threats are a deeply serious and unacceptable problem that must not be ignored. They create fear, silence voices, and undermine the very foundation of a safe and just society. No one should ever feel threatened for expressing their beliefs or simply existing. Addressing and preventing death threats is crucial to protecting human rights, mental health, and public safety. We must take strong action to confront and eliminate this toxic behavior.

Counter-claim

Death threats are often blown out of proportion and do not deserve the level of concern they receive. Most are empty words with no real intent behind them, especially online. People should simply ignore them instead of treating them as serious issues. Society has far more pressing problems to address than worrying about threats that rarely materialize. Focusing on death threats is a waste of time and resources that could be better spent elsewhere.