fot. Panek Professor Irena Lipowicz Human Rights Defender Introduction “No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights The ban on torture is absolute, thus no circumstances justify its use. It should be repeated and emphasised in the light of recent discussions. The ban results from both, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms1 and the Polish Constitution. It proves that nations undergo moral progress. The definition of torture is given in Article 1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment2. The term “torture” means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as: –o  btaining from him or a third person information or a confession, – punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, –o  r intimidating or coercing him or a third person, –o  r for any reason based on discrimination of any kind,  The Convention was done in Rome on 4 November 1950, amended by Protocols No 3, 5 and 8, and supplemented by Protocol No 2 (Dz. U. [Journal of Laws] of 1993, No 61, item 284, as amended).  The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1984 (Dz. U. of 1989, No 63, item 378). 1 2 7