Moscow announces withdrawal from European anti-torture agreement

Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted a bill to parliament to withdraw from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the state news agency TASS reported.

The agreement, which Russia ratified in 1998 after joining the Council of Europe, allowed European experts to conduct unannounced inspections in institutions such as prisons and psychiatric clinics.
However, Russian authorities have denied inspectors access for years; numerous cases of torture and abuse have been documented, particularly in Chechnya and other regions.

With its withdrawal, Russia would no longer be obliged to allow international inspections of prison conditions.

Experts warn that this increases the risk of a further deterioration in the human rights situation. Russian NGOs and international experts speak of a further step in Russia's alienation from the civilized world – and of a possible legitimization of torture and cruel punishments.

(reuters, sie)