Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially withdrawn Russia from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, a move that has sparked international concern over the oversight of Russian prisons and detention facilities. This decision comes at a particularly contentious time as Russia faces global scrutiny over alleged instances of torture and inhumane treatment of its citizens, Ukrainian civilians, and prisoners of war.

The European Convention for the Prevention of Torture was designed to safeguard against inhumane treatment in detention, allowing for regular inspections by international experts. Over the past three decades, these experts have conducted assessments and recommended reforms based on 27 reports. However, conflict arose in 2024 when the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture criticized Russia for non-cooperation. Furthermore, a damning 2024 report by the UN Special Rapporteur highlighted the use of torture and inhumane treatment as systemic tools of oppression within Russia.

In response to Russia's withdrawal from the convention, the Committee expressed on Telegram that this withdrawal signifies a "complete loss of benchmarks for developing the penitentiary system in line with international norms." Although Russia remains a signatory to the UN Convention against Torture, the treaty lacks provisions for mandatory facility inspections, as Russia has not signed the Optional Protocol that includes such measures.

Russian officials have defended their withdrawal by pointing to the Council of Europe’s refusal to permit the election of a new Russian representative to the Committee, an action Russia views as discriminatory. This incident follows Russia’s exclusion from the Council of Europe in 2022, post its invasion of Ukraine, which led to heightened tensions and sanctions from Western nations.

The EU has criticized Russia’s latest move as a further retreat from international commitments. This step away from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture underscores a growing isolation of Russia from global human rights frameworks, raising alarms about the potential for unchecked human rights abuses within its borders.