A License to Torture ? In the context of a tortured case collection, the categorization of individuals typically includes various demographic information to better understand the scope and impact of the crimes committed. However, specific demographic categories may be considered to identify patterns, vulnerabilities, and particular forms of persecution. Men: This category refers to adult individuals who identify as male. Women: This category includes adult individuals who identify as female. In a tortured case collection, men and women may be victims of torture or abuse due to various factors such as political activism, religious beliefs, ethnic background, or other reasons and no reasons. Children: This category comprises individuals who are below the legal age of adulthood. Children can be subjected to various forms of abuse and torture, which may differ from those experienced by adults. Others: This category encompasses individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. This also includes individuals who do not fall strictly within the binary genders of male or female. Individuals may face targeted violence, discrimination, and torture due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Unknown: The inclusion of “unknown” indicates that there may be cases where the gender or age of an individual cannot be determined or is unspecified. This category is often used in situations where comprehensive demographic information is not available or difficult to ascertain. The term “civilians” refers to individuals who are not part of the military or armed forces. It encompasses men, women, children, and others who are not directly involved in armed conflict or warfare. Including “unknown” allows for transparency in reporting and acknowledges the limitations in data collection, ensuring that all possible scenarios are accounted for in the analysis of civilian populations. When collecting data on tortured cases, including these categories allows for a comprehensive understanding of the different groups affected and helps identify systemic patterns of abuse. This information can be crucial in advocating for justice, raising awareness, and developing targeted interventions to address the specific needs of these marginalized communities. 19 Equality Myanmar