President Putin Signs Withdrawal Legislation
President Vladimir Putin on September 29 signed legislation officially withdrawing the Russian Federation from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. This legislative action formalizes Russia's exit from the international treaty, effectively eliminating external oversight of its detention facilities, including prisons, police stations, and psychiatric hospitals. The move marks another step in Russia's systematic disengagement from Western institutions since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Role of the European Convention and CPT
The European Convention for the Prevention of Torture (ECPT), adopted by the Council of Europe in 1987, established the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). The CPT's primary function is to prevent torture and inhuman or degrading treatment by conducting unannounced visits to places where people are deprived of their liberty. Its experts are authorized to inspect facilities, communicate directly with detainees, and provide recommendations to member states on improving conditions. Russia ratified the convention in 1998, two years after joining the Council of Europe, and the CPT conducted 30 visits to the country over nearly three decades.
Russia's Stated Reasons and Broader Context
Russian officials have justified the withdrawal by citing the Council of Europe's alleged blocking of the election of Russian members to the CPT since December 2023, which they claim prevented Russia from full participation. Senator Andrey Klishas emphasized that Russia 'remains a participant in all other international conventions that are specifically aimed at preventing the use of torture.' However, the withdrawal is seen in the broader context of Russia's increasing isolation from international human rights mechanisms. Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe in March 2022, leading to its departure from the European Court of Human Rights. The CPT had previously criticized Russia's 'persistent lack of cooperation' and refusal to allow inspections, particularly concerning the death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny in February 2024.
Implications and International Reactions
The withdrawal has raised significant concerns among human rights organizations and international observers. Experts from the Center for Countering Disinformation predict that this move 'will only lead to an increase in the use of torture across the country,' effectively removing 'even the formal ban on inhumane treatment of detainees.' Activists from the Committee Against Torture warned of worsening prison conditions and 'the complete loss of benchmarks for developing the penitentiary system according to international norms.' Ukraine's foreign minister, Andriy Sybiha, condemned the decision, stating it 'once again shows that Russia is a place of lawlessness where human life and dignity mean nothing.' While some rights advocates view the withdrawal as largely symbolic given Russia's already deteriorating human rights record, it is widely seen as a statement confirming that the use of torture against Ukrainians is 'widespread, systematic and part of Russian state-endorsed policy.' The denunciation is expected to take full effect one year after the State Duma's approval.
5 Comments
Habibi
No surprises here. Just formalizing their disregard for basic decency.
Mariposa
Good. Sovereignty first. Western meddling needs to stop.
Fuerza
Given Russia's past non-cooperation with the CPT, this withdrawal might seem symbolic. However, removing even the formal mechanism for oversight still leaves detainees more vulnerable than before.
Manolo Noriega
Human rights are dead in Russia. This is a dark day.
Ongania
It's understandable that Russia would react to being sidelined in international bodies, but abandoning a key anti-torture convention has severe implications. It reflects a growing global divide where human rights often become political pawns.