E/CN.4/2006/120 page 16 B. Interrogation techniques 49. Following the ambiguous interpretations of what constitutes torture and ill-treatment detailed in section A, the following interrogation techniques, which clearly went beyond earlier practice (as contained in Army Field Manual FM 34-52), were approved by the Secretary of Defense on 2 December 2002: • “The use of stress positions (like standing) for a maximum of four hours; • Detention in isolation up to 30 days; • The detainee may have a hood placed over his head during transportation and questioning; • Deprivation of light and auditory stimuli; • Removal of all comfort items; • Forced grooming (shaving of facial hair, etc.); • Removal of clothing; • Interrogation for up to 20 hours; and • Using detainees’ individual phobias (such as fear of dogs) to induce stress.”55 50. After having rescinded the above memorandum on 15 January 2003,56 the Secretary of Defense on 16 April 2003 authorized the following techniques:57 • “B. • S. Change of Scenery Down might include exposure to extreme temperatures and deprivation of light and auditory stimuli; • U. Environmental Manipulation: Altering the environment to create moderate discomfort (e.g. adjusting temperature or introducing an unpleasant smell); • V. Sleep Adjustment: Adjusting the sleeping times of the detainee (e.g. reversing sleep cycles from night to day). This technique is not sleep deprivation; • X. Isolation: Isolating the detainee from other detainees while still complying with basic standards of treatment.” Incentive/Removal of Incentive, i.e. comfort items; 51. These techniques meet four of the five elements in the Convention definition of torture (the acts in question were perpetrated by government officials; they had a clear purpose, i.e. gathering intelligence, extracting information; the acts were committed intentionally; and the victims were in a position of powerlessness). However, to meet the Convention definition of