Experts demand end to widespread torture as scale reaches unprecedented levels.

The UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, Alice Jill Edwards, has said that the scale and extent of torture worldwide is "off the charts." She also expressed concern about reports of torture in Russia, China, and India. Edwards called on all UN member states to make human rights part of their bilateral dialogues with China and encouraged India to ratify the Convention against Torture. Pope Francis has asked Catholics worldwide to dedicate June to praying for the abolition of torture.