UN Secretary-General said here Friday that torture cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever, whether during a state of war or in response to terrorism, political instability or any other public emergency.
The secretary-general issued the warnings in a message to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which is to be observed on Saturday, Xinhua reported.
And yet, torture is still practiced or tolerated by many States, he said.
Meanwhile, Ban expressed solidarity with millions of victims of torture, and reiterated the need for all States to provide justice and rehabilitation for them.
The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is an occasion to underscore the internationally-recognized right of all men and women to live free from torture, he said, adding that it is an opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to prohibit torture and all cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.
Proposed by Denmark, the UN General Assembly in December 1997 marked the historic date - June 26 - as International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.