A/75/179 generic biopsychosocial factors that have shaped human decision-making throughout history, irrespective of national, cultural, religious or other distinctive influences. 76. Contrary to the presumptions of rationality and morality underlying modern statehood, most individual or collective decision-making: (a) remains guided by largely unconscious emotional impulses; (b) pursues perceived shortterm self-interest; and (c) is rationalized in line with predominant social expectations only ex post facto. 77. That also applies to complex collective decision-making processes that are essential for the integrity and effectiveness of constitutional instituti ons and procedures, such as political elections and appointments, judicial and administrative oversight and independent media reporting. 78. Human self-interest has various distinct aspects, each of which is aimed at fulfilling basic biopsychosocial needs: (a) self-preservation (need for safety and security); (b) self-determination (need for autonomy and control); (c) selfaffirmation (need for worth and dignity); (d) self-justification (need for justice); and (e) self-gratification (need for reward and stimulation). 79. When it is distorted by excessive fear, pathological dysfunction or experiences of trauma, perceived self-interest can trigger attitudes and conduct that are conducive to serious human rights violations, including torture and ill treatment. 80. When self-interested decision-making leads to torture and ill-treatment, both perpetrators and bystanders tend to suppress the resulting moral dilemma through largely unconscious, self-deceptive patterns of “moral disengagement”, namely: (a) denial of fact (wilful ignorance); (b) denial of responsibility (diffusion or displacement of responsibility); and (c) denial of wrongfulness (trivialization, or utilitarian or discriminatory justification). 81. Narratives of moral disengagement can never justify torture or illtreatment as a matter of law. As psychosocial patterns of self-deception, however, they severely impair the ability and willingness of political leaders, judges, officials, the media and the general public to accurately perceive and act upon allegations of torture or ill-treatment. By subtly or severely distorting perceptions of reality, moral disengagement narratives can neutralize even sophisticated normative and institutional frameworks for the prevention and prosecution of torture and ill-treatment, thus producing the current worldwide prevalence of complacency and impunity, often additionally reinforced through intimidation and reprisals. 82. In his official dialogue with States relating to specific concerns or allegations of torture or ill-treatment, the Special Rapporteur routinely encounters all of the moral disengagement patterns described in the present report. In practice, the predominant reaction pattern of States to official communications transmitted by the Special Rapporteur is denial of fact, even in the face of compelling evidence. Where the occurrence of torture or ill-treatment cannot be denied, States tend to deny either their responsibility or the wrongfulness of the alleged conduct. It is regrettable that genuine engagement in a constructive, substantive and transparent dialogue aimed at ensuring full and effective compliance with the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment remains exceptional. 83. The innate human predisposition to adopt self-deceptive patterns of denial is not a deviation, but a generic, biopsychosocial fact devoid of mor al connotations. As such, it cannot be changed, but must be fully acknowledged and appropriately managed. Unless contemporary governance systems learn to effectively mitigate the corrosive effects of such patterns, there is no realistic 20-09728 23/25