CrimeaSOS: russia’s withdrawal from the Convention against Torture closes channels of influence on human rights violations

The withdrawal of the russian federation from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment will have negative consequences for international influence on the human rights situation in the country. This was stated by CrimeaSOS advocacy expert Artem Oliinyk.

According to him, russia’s denunciation of yet another international treaty will significantly complicate the work of those states and organizations that are trying to combat human rights violations in the russian federation, in particular against foreign citizens. The reduction in the number of platforms for dialogue limits the ability to respond to torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

The fact that the russian federation has decided to denounce the Convention does not itself mean permission for torture or other crimes that are directly prohibited by russian legislation.

“Given that Moscow has committed such crimes before, the denouncing of the agreement will have little effect on russia’s course of ignoring the norms of international law, however it may lead to an increase in the number of victims. Victims should be prepared for the fact that reaching out to the russian authorities will become even more difficult due to the limited tools available to punish the perpetrators”, – CrimeaSOS advocacy expert emphasized.

The Law on the Denunciation of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted by the State Duma of the russian federation on September 17, 2025. On September 29, the president of the russian federation signed the law.