The U.N. Committee Against Torture has strongly criticized Russia for failing to investigate widespread allegations of torture and intimidation, and reprisals against human rights activists and journalists.

In a report presented Friday at the committee's 49th session in Geneva, a panel of 10 independent experts said they are seeing very few effective investigations that lead to prosecution of perpetrators of torture in Russia.

The committee called on Russia to take immediate and effective measures to prevent all acts of torture and ill-treatment throughout the county and to eliminate the impunity of those allegedly responsible.

The committee also called for the repeal of a new law backed by President Vladimir Putin that expands the definition of treason so broadly that critics say it could be used to call anyone who opposes the government a traitor.