The basic definition of torture is that contained in the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

"... 'torture' means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions."

From this definition, it can be said that torture is the intentional infliction of severe mental or physical pain or suffering by or with the consent of the state authorities for a specific purpose.

The aim of torture is to break down the victim's personality and is often used to punish, obtain information or a confession, take revenge on a person or create terror and fear within a population.

TORTURE IS PERPETRATED IN ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE. FREQUENTLY, IT IS EMPLOYED AS A TOOL TO INTIMIDATE AND SILENCE OPPONENTS WHO TAKE COURAGEOUS STANDS AGAINST CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THEY CONSIDER UNJUST. TORTURE VICTIMS OFTEN INCLUDE VOCAL LEADERS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES, HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, UNION MEMBERS AND ACTIVISTS, POLITICIANS, STUDENT LEADERS, JOURNALISTS, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS (OR EVEN ENTIRE COMMUNITIES) WHO PROTEST AGAINST HARSH, INHUMANE, OR UNDEMOCRATIC CONDITIONS.

TORTURE CONSTITUTES ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, TAKING A TERRIBLE TOLL ON ITS MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUAL VICTIMS AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES. SOME OF THE MOST COMMONLY EMPLOYED TACTICS AGAINST VICTIMS OF TORTURE INCLUDE RAPE, BLOWS TO THE SOLES OF THE FEET, SUFFOCATION IN WATER, BURNING, ELECTRIC SHOCK, SLEEP DEPRIVATION, SHAKING AND BEATING – ALL INTENDED TO SYSTEMATICALLY BREAK THE VICTIM IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM CONFORM. AS TERRIBLE AS THE PHYSICAL WOUNDS ARE, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL SCARS ARE USUALLY THE MOST DEVASTATING AND THE MOST DIFFICULT TO REPAIR.

HUMAN RIGHTS DESK KEEPS AN EYE ON TORTURE CASES IN KASHMIR. WE TRY TO FIND AND GET AS MANY INFORMATION ON TORTURE CASES AND THEN WE TRANSFER THE INFORMATION TO THE CONCERNED PEOPLE ,WHO CAN HELP THE VICTIMS OR RAISE THEIR VOICES FOR THEM.

Human rights Desk organized Seminar in support of torture victims in 2000. since then HRD organize seminars and celebrate UN international day in support of victims of torture.