Torture means any act by which [1] severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person [2] for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or [3] with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions. Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment not amounting to torture under legal sanctions to discipline detained persons through methods that are physical or mental, including the holding of a detained or imprisoned person in conditions which deprive them, temporarily or permanently, of the use of any of their natural senses, such as sight or hearing, or of their awareness of place and the passing of time.