By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In late September, Russia officially denounced the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, ceasing its obligations to allow international inspectors into penitentiary institutions. This action, prompted by alleged restrictions within the Council of Europe, significantly alters monitoring mechanisms and transparency regarding detention conditions. The denunciation follows Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe in 2022 and raises concerns about human rights, particularly in light of reports of violence against Ukrainian prisoners of war. Consequently, there is a pressing need for heightened scrutiny from the international community and human rights organizations to address potential shifts in the protection of prisoners’ rights.
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Russia Denounces European Convention Against Torture, Ending International Monitoring is the headline, and honestly, it’s hard to be surprised, right? It’s almost become a cliché at this point. You know, like the sun rising in the east. You can just always count on Russia to do the thing that makes you shake your head and wonder how we got here.
In fact, it feels like Russia was never truly constrained by the convention to begin with. The war in Ukraine has made that abundantly clear. Considering their actions, this move feels more like a formal announcement of something that was already happening, a confirmation of their existing practices. It’s as if they’re saying, “We’ve been doing this all along, so why pretend anymore?”
The fact that Russia has formally withdrawn from the convention is, well, comically evil. It’s the kind of thing you read and just have to laugh at the absurdity of it all, even as you’re horrified. It’s a “look at me, I’m the villain!” kind of move. The regime seems intent on making it perfectly clear that they’re willing to do whatever they want, without any pretense of adhering to international norms. And as they become more desperate, this behavior just gets more vile.
This withdrawal has dire consequences, particularly for those most vulnerable: prisoners of war and the abducted Ukrainian children. Without the oversight of the convention, there’s even less hope for fair treatment. International observers won’t be able to monitor their conditions, and the potential for abuse increases exponentially. It’s a terrifying prospect.
The motivation behind this move seems clear. It’s about control. By removing the mask of civility, Russia is trying to scare both internal and external opponents into compliance. They’re hoping to win through fear where conventional tactics have failed. This is a play for power, pure and simple.
The reaction to this news? It’s a mixture of anger, disgust, and a weary sort of inevitability. The world has seen Russia’s true colors in Ukraine, and this move only confirms what many already knew. Pretending otherwise is no longer possible, and their allies can no longer feign ignorance.
Some might try to engage in dialogue. However, with the regime unwilling to compromise, such conversations feel pointless. What could be offered that would change the course of events? Russia has demonstrated time and again that it will only stop using force when met with force. A negotiated peace, with the current regime, could easily lead to further aggression down the line.
It is difficult to see any positive side to Russia’s actions. This is not a case of simply formalizing a pre-existing situation. This is an escalation, a hardening of attitudes and behaviors. This is not the way to treat any human being.
While some might argue that Russia’s membership was already worthless in protecting anyone, it still provided a semblance of accountability. Now, even that thin veneer is gone. The regime is simply ripping off the mask and continuing to do what they want.
It is understandable, therefore, that people are struggling to reconcile the reality of this situation. People are upset, and with good reason. The hope in such dreadful circumstances is all but gone. Every human life is precious, and with this development, the future looks bleaker still.