'Torture' in the Inter-American System—Evolving Interpretations and Intersectional Rights Protections

For her human rights capstone project, Gabi Holzer enrolled in the course LATINAM 252: “The Inter-American Human Rights System: Doctrine, Practice and Advocacy” and wrote a paper that traces the evolution of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights' interpretation of “torture,” emphasizing its eventual recognition of sexual violence as a form of torture under international law. Holzer examined how increased gender representation and intersectional awareness contributed to this shift, arguing that similar interpretive frameworks should extend to detention and migration contexts—particularly practices like solitary confinement and family separation. By analyzing key cases and legal definitions, the paper highlights how expanding the concept of torture can enhance protections for vulnerable populations and strengthen human rights jurisprudence in the Americas. The content of this capstone is only accessible to users who have a valid Stanford SUNet ID.