Patterns of abuse in Sikh asylum-seekers.

Many states practise or condone torture to control dissident groups in their population. Most techniques used and the resulting injuries are common to all cultures. 31 male Sikh asylum-seekers, examined between December, 1991, and May, 1994, showed a pattern of abuse that included features particular to their region of origin. All gave a persuasive history of serious abuse and all showed long-term mental and physical effects that could be convincingly attributed to their experiences.