About the Torture Watch

Police torture is endemic and systematic in Pakistan. Through its research and through representing victims of torture, the Justice Project Pakistan (JPP) has observed that: torture is accepted as an inevitable part of law enforcement in Pakistan, and perpetrators of torture are granted impunity through a combination of socio-cultural acceptance, lack of independent oversight, widespread powers of arrest and detention, procedural loopholes and ineffective safeguards, including Pakistan’s failure to criminalize torture despite being a signatory of the UN Convention Against Torture.

The Torture Watch is a project that aims to conduct anti-torture advocacy, spread awareness regarding this practice and to push for police reform to eradicate torture. The contents of the Torture Watch are categorized thematically.

Survivors’ Stories features interviews and first-hand narratives of victims of Pakistan’s state inflicted torture. Police Reform features expert legal analysis and interviews with state officials about the need and avenues for reform in policing practices. Resources features the relevant published research conducted by JPP. Finally, Media Watch and World News feature a collection of news stories concerning torture at home and abroad.