Ahead of a report to the U.N. on an anti-torture agreement next week, the Holy See has emphasized its commitment against torture, and warned against the hearing being reduced to a “tool of ideological pressure.”

“The Holy See also proposes important teaching with regard to matters of torture and cruel and inhuman treatment, which is of great importance for the diffusion of the principles inspiring the Convention and for its implementation,” said Fr. Federico Lombardi, head of the Holy See Press Office, May 2, referring to the U.N. Convention against Torture.

He voiced hope that in the upcoming meeting, “a serene and objective dialogue may take place, pertinent to the text of the Conventions and their objectives.”

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