Russia's exit from anti-torture convention confirms torture is part of Kremlin state policy – Ukraine's human rights commissioner

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Commissioner for Human Rights, says Russia's withdrawal from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture confirms that torture is an element of Kremlin state policy.

Source: Lubinets on Telegram

Quote: "This is more than a legal formality – it is a deliberate act that takes off the last 'masks' and confirms that torture is an element of Kremlin state policy.

The European Convention for the Prevention of Torture not only prohibits cruel and inhuman treatment, it also provides for control mechanisms. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, operating under the Council of Europe, has the right to conduct monitoring in places of detention. Although Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe in March 2022, it formally remained a party to the convention, and this gave legal grounds for international leverage. That possibility is now lost."

Details: Lubinets added that Russia's denunciation of the convention has made it clear that the Kremlin is deliberately avoiding international oversight and depriving the world of tools to respond to instances of torture in prisons in Russia and temporarily Russian-occupied territories.

Quote: "In response, the world must use the tools that remain in force. Russia remains a party to the UN Convention against Torture, so the work of UN mechanisms and the International Committee of the Red Cross must be stepped up."

Background: Russian leader Vladimir Putin has signed a law denouncing the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!