Article 38 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran (Prohibition of Torture): Explaining its Principles and Reviewing the Existing Criminal Policy Thereof

Torture is one of the most serious crimes against human rights. From the perspective of Islamic law as well as human rights rules, the reason of its prohibition is insolence to human dignity and integrity. In article 38 of constitution, torture has been forbidden by legal system of Islamic Republic of Iran. The basis of this Article is Islamic law and its international conventions. All religious arguments have absolutely prohibited human's persecution and ill-treatment. Global community also seeks to eradicate this ominous phenomenon. Iranian criminal system has predicted torture as a crime in support of principles of Islamic Republic of Iran's Constitution. Article 578 of Islamic Penal Code has described torture as a crime. This article has weaknesses and shortcomings. Therefore, it cannot support efficiently Article 38 of constitution. Amendment of this article according to the Article 38 of constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran can be an important step towards preventing this crime.