TORTURE Volume 27, Number 1, 2017 79 The author presents a very comprehen- very a presents author The UN CAT (2008). General comment No. 2 General (2008). on comment UN articleNo. CAT 2 not only raised but discussed in depth, is: is: discussed in depth, not only raised but torture the prohibition against how can be applied in this context? actively against prohibition the of overview sive rights human international in both torture, legislation. rights human regional in and laws the and jurisprudence of examples Rich to regard with jurisprudence in changes with provided, are rights reproductive those as defined being rights reproductive Despite childbirth. and pregnancy to related existing of range whole a of importance the is priority torture, regarding provisions legal Torture, against Convention UN the to given in torture of definition the particular in UN the of jurisprudence the and 1, Article a including Torture, against Committee a in done is This overview. historical useful “deconstructs” author the as way convincing a through convention the in definition the ele- main four its of analysis step-by-step violations to relate can these how and ments is discussion The freedom. reproductive on provides and sound conceptually both to reference appropriate including substance, presented recommendations jurisprudence, the and reporting periodic part of as States to Despite Comments. General Committee’s in decisions on based jurisprudence the fairly being cases complaint individual clear very of number a are there limited, Committee the by observations concluding on restrictions on ('COB'), Torture against in Peru to COBs the in instance (for abortion in Paraguay to 2009, in Nicaragua to 2006, on and 2011), in also Ireland to and 2011 Czech to (COBs sterilizations involuntary 2006 in Peru to 2012, and 2004 in Republic i of the Convention against Torture. AVailable from: http:// from: AVailable Torture. of the against Convention www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/GC2.htm * *) University Norway of Oslo, Reproductive Reproductive Freedom, Torture and International Human Rights: Challenging the Masculinization of By Ronli Torture, Sifris Published by Routledge (ISBN: 978-0-415- 65963-5) Nora Sveaass, Associate Professor BOOK REVIEW The title of the book could not be clearer of the In the words about its key message. “contribute to a feminist it aims to author, of internationalconceptualization human rights restrictions by examining on reproduc- freedom through the lens of the right to tive be free from torture and CIDT [Cruel, (p8). Treatment]” Inhumane or Degrading to the grave attention book draws Sifris’ reproductive reality surrounding women’s in freedom in numerous countries and, restrictions on abor- the severe particular, tions and the practice of involuntary The author affirms how sterilizations. inhumane and dangerous it is for interna- choices in women’s to overlook tional law and the bodies, to their own relation with many have, consequences this may suffering or dying because of lack of women which is The important question, protection. 80 TORTURE Volume 27, Number 1, 2017 Comment No. 2 etc.). The references that are made to General and sterilization forceduponwomenand sterilization for evenending pregnancy whenlifeisat stake, including bytheirown fathers, denialof whohavegirls becomepregnantafterrape, young onvery such asdenialofabortion women have beenexposedtoare provided, A numberofstrongexamplestheinjustice an accompanying state obligation toprevent. and thereby under theconceptoftorture fall analysis ofexamplesandsituations that may alsoallows forthe definition oftorture ofthestate.part How thisrelates tothe toprotectonthe of duediligenceandfailure even areinvolved, whennon-state actors lack related tolegalprovisions inacountry, or reproductive aremore oftenthannot rights that decisionstakenoverfact women’s element ofthedefinitionisfulfilledby cases andprinciples. The publicofficial by isclearlyexploredandsupported purpose discriminative elementasanexampleof ofthe In particular, anunderstanding inthiscontext.intentionality isunderstood of andtheprinciple pain andsuffering decisions over theirbodiescanmeansevere opening. limitations towomen’s Serious thorough aswell andeye- aschallenging tion andpublicofficial)isremarkably intentionality,suffering, purpose: discrimina- and itselements(that is, severe painand Convention. pointing out state responsibility under the ing the reproductive rights of women by the Committee against Torture in strengthen- taken by many of international bodies and edges the importance of the concrete steps the Convention. The author clearly acknowl- position this ofform violence as being under relating to women (paragraph 22), firmly inclusion of the term ‘reproductive decision’ prevent torture and ill-treatment, and the The book’s reviewofboththedefinition

i on the obligation of states to to be an extraordinarily valuable and to beanextraordinarily thefourelementsofdefinition primarily covers, Ifoundthereviewandanalysisof inwhich theanalysis theperiod during theseissues in thediscussionssurrounding against Torture, whohastakenanactive part as well ascases. contains substantialandrelevant arguments valuable and discussion isnevertheless the blameonwoman forherabuse. back bringing there aretortured. Italsorisks abilitytoleavegreater anenvironment where detention, have implying that theformer a plight ofbattered women vis-a-vismenin focus onpowerlessness diminishingthe risks Copelon, forexample, that a isconcerned lenged fromafeministpointofview. concept, especiallysinceithasbeenchal- problematic aspectsofthepowerlessness discussionaboutthe there was nofurther brought in. However, that itwas surprising andCIDTare the definitionoftorture arguments relating todomesticviolenceand interestingdiscussionand torture. Itisavery elementsofthedefinition the formal analysed bytheauthorinsameway as element ofpowerlessness isdiscussedand power toescapeandwherethereisnot. This being inasituation wherethereissome ofthekeydifferencebetween importance M. Nowak, allofwhomhave highlightedthe the work andDanelius, ofBurgers aswell as isalsoincludedwhichbuilds on with torture condition of “powerlessness” oftenassociated oppression. orpolitical reasons ofracialdiscrimination iss2/7 Availablefrom:http://academicworks.cuny.edu/clr/vol11/ L.Rev.City (2008). 229 No.CATComment of N.Y.General 2,Contribution 11 ii Copelon R,Gender Copelon as Violence Torture: The As a former memberoftheCommittee As aformer An interestingdiscussionregardingthe W E I V E R K O O B ii The TORTURE Volume 27, Number 1, 2017 81 ‘Reproductive Freedom, Torture and Torture Freedom, ‘Reproductive to men in detention. The author argues that argues that The author to men in detention. international reflects this exclusionary law and masculinized understandingof torture fall serious may violations as such, and, lives to women’s threats under the radar and fall may shortand well-being of the scrutiny to acts of tortureotherwise given or CIDT. the book represents a very In light of this, important contribution to the field and it about prevention, opens up a larger debate to protection and accountability with regard rights and torture. reproductive women, insight it is a book which gives Moreover, in involved to all those and perspective of with human rights and prevention working all genders and all ages. Challenging International Human Rights: is not only Torture’ of the Masculinization worthworth but studying in depth. reading, “the It succeeds in its aim to analyze tortureof meaning interna-under CIDT and with a view to tional human rights law conceptualizing these terms include so as to issues of disproportionate concern to particularly restrictions of reproduc- women, tryingAnyone to (p4). freedom” tive with international or work study, understand, should read this book in order to law of it and conceptualize the gendered nature in order not to discount half the world’s Furthermore, this book chal- population. which lenges the international legal system, primarily developed was by men and does experi- lived not properly address women’s It is a timely and a very important ences. book. Acknowledgements: Fullbright Student Thanks to Nora Uhrich, the University of Oslo for constructive at about the book. conversations

iii iii The book’s reach - or its potential impact reach - or The book’s Gaer FD. Rape as Gaer a FD. form of torture: the experience of iii stimulating contributionstimulating to the field in and in particular of to the field general, rights and internationalreproductive law. should not stand this publication said, That be a springboard but for furtheralone, The thinking and discussion on the issue. carriedmapping exercise book out in the importantly includes highlighting the gaps, continue to that and vagueness silences, surround in connection violence and abuse in particular, rights and, with reproductive restrictions on abortion and involuntary This also brings sterilization procedures. to rape as a formattention of violence and as a formagainst women of human It also furthersrights violation. the discus- conditions sion about when and under what international considers human rights law The discussion on this rape to be torture. the last few years over topic has developed and the contribution also from the Commit- significant. is issue this on Torture against tee BOOK REVIEW The book represents a very important summary has taken place of the process that serious rights, with regard to women’s human rights particular and in abuses sexual, the last 20 years. gender-based violence over it contributes to the call for how In so doing, experiences of torture lived should women’s torture. be defined as just that: – goes further than an analysis of the specific points raised – it is a feminist analysis of highlighting the fact that international law, de- and usually still is, torture has been, scribed and discussed in a gendered way, problem, as a mainly male-related is, that happens as something that and specifically, the Committee against Torture. Cuny Law Review Torture. the Committee against http://www. from: Available 2012;15:293-308. cunylawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Gaer_ Rape-as-a-Form-of-Torture.pdf