Russia has officially withdrawn from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture
The Council of Europe stated that Russia has not allowed international inspectors into prisons in the country since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia officially withdrew from the European Convention against Torture
Russia has officially withdrawn from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment starting November 1, 2026. This was announced by the Council of Europe.
Following this, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture will no longer have the mandate to inspect prisons, penal colonies, and other places of detention in Russia. The Council of Europe noted that, in fact, these inspections had ceased since the moment Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia notified the Council of Europe of its withdrawal from the convention on October 30, 2025. According to Article 22 of the document, this decision takes effect one year later.
Russia joined the convention in 1998. During this period, representatives of the European Committee visited the country 30 times and inspected more than 450 prisons and other places of detention. However, the Russian authorities allowed the publication of only four reports on the inspections. In particular, the results of ten inspections conducted in Chechnya and the North Caucasus between 2000 and 2017 were not disclosed.
According to the Council of Europe, since February 2022, the committee has received numerous reports of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine. However, international inspectors were unable to conduct any inspections due to the Russian authorities' refusal to cooperate. Ukraine, on the other hand, continues to allow international observers into its prisons.
“Russia’s withdrawal from the convention means the end of the committee’s inspection mandate in the country. It also signifies the cessation of any independent monitoring over places of detention in Russia,” said Alan Mitchell, President of the Committee.
He emphasized that independent inspections are one of the essential tools for protecting prisoners from torture and ill-treatment.
In September 2025, the Russian State Duma unanimously adopted the law on withdrawal from the convention, which was subsequently signed by Vladimir Putin. The Russian government explained this decision by pointing to discriminatory treatment by the Council of Europe. Moscow stated that the Council of Europe had blocked the election of a Russian representative to the committee.