Tomorrow June 26, 2013 marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Through the collective efforts of the members of the United Nations, they passed a resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997 to officially proclaim this day in order to fully eradicate all forms of human torture which are inhumane, degrading, and very cruel. It is the day where people remember all the victims who were crying justice and help and to provide continuous support to survivors. This is a continuous wake-up call to people across the globe to know their rights, and to protect & respect the rights of other people. Since 1998, there are over 100 participating countries around the world that shows a unified echo in support to stopping worldwide torture against humans in the family, community, society, and in other areas where inhumane treatments are being manifested. Each year, there are series of campaigns and themes in order to focus or address the recurrent condition and situation of people who are being victims of peoples’ illiteracy, and unrighteous dominion. In order to understand the kind of tortures that victims have had based in history, here are the top 10 torture medieval devices that were used, and are still used in different parts of the world.
10. Spanish Donkey
Photo Source: http://oldfridgescankill.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/review-the-spanish-donkey-xyx/
This was a torture device being used during the colonial period in America, which was intended for work. It resembles a gymnastic vaulting horse that has a sharpened and pointed wedge on the top. The process of torture takes place by placing the naked victim on it and letting him straddle on it just like when you ride a real horse. The victim would not be able to move out from this Spanish donkey since weights would also be attached on their feet. Imagine how the victim is being sliced while straddling on it.
9. Breast Ripper
Photo Source: http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2010/11/18/the-instruments-of-torture/
This is the punishment being given to women who were proved to be adulterous, self-induced abortionists, blasphemers, or a suspected witch. Their breasts are being ripped off through this ripper. The claws of it would be used to torn away the woman’s upper sensitive parts, until bloody pulps have been rendered.
8. Choke Pear
Photo Source: http://top-10-list.org/2009/07/27/gruesome-torture-devices-medieval-times/
This is being inserted to expand opening of sensitive parts of the body of women, which intends to rupture tissues and membranes in the surrounding areas of these parts. It could actually rip off intestines, the throat, and even the cervix. This kind of torture device was being used as a punishment to heretical preachers, guilty of homosexual practices, and unrefined practices intended for the married, or those who have intimate communions with Satan. It is also known as the “Pear of the Anguish” since the effect and pain it gives to the victims is really fatal in nature.
7. Wheel Torture
Photo Source: http://www.funzug.com/index.php/crazy-pictures/torture-devices-of-the-dark-ages.html
This was one of the inhumane practices in history where victims would have the opportunity to ride on the wheel, but on the kind of wheels that we have in our time that are found in most of theme parks or amusement parks that sparks excitement and fun. This one is a nightmare and one of the hell rides where limbs are strapped to the spokes of the wheel, and once the wheel starts moving in a gradual manner, those spokes were hit by an iron hammer. This breaks the bones until their limbs are crippled, being left as food of birds.
6. Judas Chair
Photo Source: http://digitalworldofdiscoveries.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/judas-cradle/
The victim will seat on the pyramid shape of this Judas chair and the point of it will be inserted into the orifice of the victim. In order to complete the torture, the person needs to undress himself or herself as part of humiliation and punishment. The person will gradually be lowered into that sharp point that would result to stretching the orifice that slowly kills the person. This practice started during the Middle Period of history. Believe it or not, this kind of torture continues at the present time.
5. Flaying
Photo Source: http://curioustendency.blogspot.com/2011/09/6-execution-methods-you-had-no-idea.html
This is one of the most stressful and heart breaking torture methods that were done in the early part of history wherein the skin is being removed from the victim’s body. It literally means “skinning” wherein some would extremely sunburn the skin of the person, and would start cutting off the skin starting on the face using a knife, while other methods involve peeling off the skin to boil the victim. Moreover, the hands were tied above the head of the victim before performing the skinning.
4. Cat’s Paw
It is also known as the “Spanish Tickler”, which was normally attached to a handle as part of the torturer’s hand. This is used to tear away flesh and not just the skin from the bone of the human body. This is intended to inflict punishment to unfaithful wives and thieves, which may result to death or injury on the body since the open wound is vulnerable to infections and other deadly diseases.
3. The Rack
This is composed of rollers on both ends, but at times, it could only be one, a wooden frame that rose already from the ground. The torture begins while the interrogation is being conducted to the offender by fastening first the ankle to the roller, while the wrists are chained on the other part. Moreover, the ratchet and handle are attached on the top of the roller. While the interrogation continues, the tension is being tightened that would result in ligaments snapping, limbs broken, and the most nerve wracking part is when limbs are ripped from the offender’s body.
2. Knee Splitter
Photo Source: http://www.medievality.com/knee-splitter.html
This is one of the most severe and loathsome tortures that any man could ever imagine that was normally utilized during the process of inquisition. The name of this device may sound intended for the knee, but this is also used to split other body parts such as arms, elbows, and lower legs. The torturer who operates the knee splitter would slowly slam the claws in between the victim’s skin. Majority of the knee splitters have 3 or over twenty spikes, while others may also heat them before doing the torture in order to aggravate the pain and suffering of the victim.
1. The Head Crusher
Photo Source: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/head%20crusher?before=21
From the name of the torture device itself, it is used to crush the head of the offender or victim who receives this kind of punishment. The head is being placed between the upper cap and bottom bar, and the agony begins while the top is being screwed slowly to compress the skull of the head tightly. The crushing process begins on the teeth, squeezing of eye sockets, and the insides of the head are being forced out.