Is the use of torture ever justified in dealing with criminals and terrorists?

I do not think that the use of torture is justified, even if it is used in dealing with criminals or terrorists. As stated in the article, the use of torture as a method to obtain more information is not only morally prohibited but also against the international laws. Hence, how could some police force or peacekeeping force use torture on criminals.

An example was also stated in the article, where a prominent character in a terrorist organisation, Abu Zubaydah, was captured, brutality was used on him but the result was insignificant. In addition, torture removed the platform for the opportunity to develop a captor-captive relationship and hence, a loss in opportunity to uncover more secrets about the respective terrorist organisation.

In another example stated in the article, "the interrogators presented a tough but very human face, the detainees were confused. Small amenities... were the kinds of things that eventually turned them. " This once again proved that torture is not the only way to obtain information but is in fact less effective than many other ways.

The article also showed some comments that implies that torture should be justified. "There was a fear of a second-wave attack" and "harsh interrogation methods were not illegal, were often productive and were something he had reserved the right to order again" both showed that use of torture on criminals and terrorists is justified. However, it has been proven by several examples in the article that use of torture is not really as effective as what it seems and in fact, there are better methods to obtain information from criminals and terrorists.

One phrase in the article states that "to pull out a fingernail of a terrorist in order to save a couple of million lives" was morally right". I do not agree with this statement at all. First of all, it has been shown that use of torture on terrorists is ineffective to a certain extent. Secondly, even if we get to know of the terrorists next operation from the mouth of the detained terrorist, it is not definite that the operation could be effectively prevented and the information from the terrorist have might been a trick. However, at the instance torture is used on the terrorist, immeasurable pain is felt by the terrorist and such inhumane punishment should not be a method for obtaining information from the terrorists.