"The Darkness": Deprivation of sunlight as a form of torture

Abstract

Introduction: Deprivation of sunlight (DoS) should be considered independently as a method of torture. We review the definition and the spectrum of DoS, and the harms it causes that may rise to the level of torture.

Method: We review relevant international case law, and highlight how the harms of DoS have historically not been fully considered in torture cases, possibly legitimizing its use.

Conclusion: A standardized definition of deprivation of sunlight be developed and in-cluded in the Torturing Environment Scale, we call for an explicit international prohibi-tion of DoS.

Keywords: Sunlight deprivation; torture no-touch torture..