Forced political confessions

Confessions of guilt, extorted by means of torture, brainwashing and inhumane treatment for the purposes of conviction in civil and political trials (secret or show), may be sufficient to condemn an individual to a long prison sentence, forced labour, exile or execution. The defendant may in fact not be guilty and may be condemned unjustly. His confession, true or false, may endanger the lives of others. Confessions may serve as propaganda for indoctrination purposes in show trials, or as an administrative convenience and salving of conscience in secret trials.