He is sick. Revolting. Up to 90% of countries contain some form of it. Torture. It dominates people's lives. Precious lives. Lives being destroyed. Torture is defined by the United Nations as “any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person” (Ten facts to know about torture). Torture includes forms ranging from physical beatings to deprivation of all dignity. Although most torture is physical, the mental effects have a huge impact on the victim and even the people around them (Key Facts). And of course, as many know, torture was infamously used by the Japanese and during the Holocaust during World War II. World War II was fertile ground for torture as a lot of information was needed and torture seemed to be the best way to obtain it (Roberts). In many ways, World War II was the effect of previous torture sites, camps and prisons; however, World War II was also the mother of modern torture devices, ideas, and events. Torture has existed for centuries. Religious groups practiced torture as a mode of punishment within the religion. During the Middle Ages, torture was considered an acceptable form of punishment and a way to obtain information within the courts. Until the Second World War, torture was considered normal. It was simply acceptable in society. People who break the law must suffer it (Woodard). Before World War II, torture was practiced throughout the city of Berlin, Germany, in secret houses, prisons and camps. One such location is a bar turned murder basement on a quiet street. The investigators do not know that there are another 220 of these torture sites across Berlin. This torture network, not only in Berlin, but... middle of paper... during World War II led to the creation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Convention. Both prohibited and made torture illegal (Woodard). But the torture doesn't stop there. Torture is as present in today's world as it was decades ago. Recently, pro-Ukrainian citizens have been kidnapped and tortured for supporting their country. The pro-Russians obviously don't agree with them and torture seems to be the best way to deal with them (Bigg). From ancient times until 2014, torture is used to punish people who break the law or simply do not conform to other people's beliefs. Sure, it seems like our world today is completely different, and it is, but that's just the physical aspect of it. The people in society have not changed. They still have their cruel and cold hearts. And that won't change anytime soon.