NextFin news, On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially signed a law withdrawing Russia from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, commonly known as the European anti-torture convention. The decision marks a significant step in Russia's distancing from European human rights mechanisms.
The withdrawal was announced and formalized in Moscow, where the Kremlin cited concerns over the convention's impact on Russia's sovereignty and alleged external interference in its internal affairs as the primary reasons for the move. According to official statements, Moscow argued that the convention's mechanisms were being used politically against Russia.
The European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, established under the Council of Europe, aims to prevent torture and ill-treatment through regular inspections of detention facilities and other measures. Russia had been a party to the convention since 1998, committing to uphold its provisions and allow inspections by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).
President Putin's decision to withdraw comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and European institutions, with Moscow increasingly rejecting what it perceives as Western interference. The Kremlin's official rationale emphasized the need to protect national sovereignty and legal independence from external bodies.
The law signed by President Putin was passed by the Russian parliament earlier this month, reflecting a consensus among lawmakers supporting the withdrawal. The move effectively ends Russia's participation in the CPT's inspection regime and its obligations under the convention.
European human rights organizations and the Council of Europe have expressed concern over Russia's withdrawal, warning that it could undermine protections against torture and ill-treatment within the country. The Council of Europe has repeatedly criticized Russia for alleged human rights violations, which Moscow has consistently denied.
This development is part of a broader pattern of Russia's disengagement from European legal and human rights frameworks amid geopolitical conflicts and strained relations with the West.
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