May Government Ever Use Torture? Two Responses from German Law

This article describes a hypothetical situation involving the question of torturing a criminal by government authority to prevent harm of other citizens. The article discusses possible responses to this situation on the basis of international law, German constitutional law, & German police law. It is pointed out that, although torture is forbidden by all the legal frameworks mentioned, there can always be some exception. Legal provisions that did not allow for a particular resolution on first glance are reconsidered to see if there is another aspect that could allow a different outcome. E. Miller