On September 29, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially signed a law to withdraw from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture (ECPT), making Russia the first nation in history to abandon this anti-torture treaty. The decision, announced by state-backed media, was described by Russian officials as a matter of procedural fairness and the need to align national laws with domestic priorities. However, the timing of the withdrawal has sparked international concern, especially given recent reports that Russian forces have intensified the use of torture against Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs).
The allegations of widespread torture and mistreatment of Ukrainian POWs have been corroborated by multiple human rights organizations and independent investigations. These findings suggest that the practice has persisted for years and is now worsening in the context of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The ECPT, established in 1987, is a binding international treaty that requires signatory states to prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment in places of detention and to provide a mechanism for periodic monitoring. Russia’s withdrawal from the treaty marks a significant shift in its approach to human rights and international law.
Analysts and diplomats have pointed out that the timing of the withdrawal is particularly sensitive, as it coincides with growing international pressure on Russia following the escalation of the war in Ukraine. The move has been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups, with many viewing it as an attempt to undermine international scrutiny and accountability. Meanwhile, some Russian officials have defended the move, arguing that the country’s legal system is already robust and that the ECPT is an outdated framework that does not reflect Russia’s current priorities.