PREVALENCE AND METHODS OF TORTURE CLAIMED IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY (SPAIN) DURING 1992-1993

The use of torture against selected groups of detainees in Spain has b een repeatly denounced. The testimonies of 87 citizens arrested under the 'anti-terrorist legislation' in the Basque Country (Spain) during 1992-1993 were collected by using the Rehabilitation and Research Cent re for Torture Victims (RCT/IRCT) protocol. All the detainees were kep t in solitary confinement with a mean period of 4 (S.D. = 1.1) days. T orture methods were usually a combination of physical, deprivation and coercion techniques with a high presence of sexual and communication techniques. The group arrested by the military corp 'Guardia Civil' sh owed a higher prevalence of different methods of physical torture, hea ring torture from others and reduction of visual input as compared wit h those in the group arrested by the force 'Policia Nacional'. The res ults show also a preference of,sexual torture on women with a high pre valence of methods such as forced undressing, verbal humiliations and touching. The study could help international experts to develop a fact -finding mission on human rights in the region.