Table 1 Major themes and sub-themes of survivors’ torture testimonies
Major themes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
A. Pre-captivity | B. Captivity | C. Post-captivity | |
Sub-themes | 1. An initial detection and arrest system | 1. Conditions in captivity | Release from captivity |
A regime that has “ears and arms everywhere” | 2. Torture methods | Unreleased captives after enforced disappearance | |
Location of arrests | Physical torture | Feelings upon release | |
Transfer to detention facilities and the ‘welcoming party’ reception | Psychological torture: Threats and involvement of family and friends | Escaping Syria | |
False accusations | Depersonalization, derealization, and solitary confinement | Life in Jordan | |
2. The intelligence system | Positional torture—Stress position abuse | Political activism | |
Transfers between facilities | Al-Shabeh—Hanging | ||
Sednaya: The ‘silent prison’, the ‘last stop’ or ‘extermination’ prison | Rape by interrogators | ||
Adra central prison for women | Prisoners forced to rape other prisoners | ||
Political intelligence and military intelligence branches | Killing of prisoners | ||
Health related torture | |||