Russia’s withdrawal from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture has been condemned by Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry as an attempt to evade accountability and an admission of guilt regarding human rights violations. The ministry highlighted the broad documentation of Russian war crimes and the torture of Ukrainian civilians and troops, despite Moscow’s prior adherence to the convention. The decision follows Russia’s consistent obstruction of the convention’s mechanism, including barring access to detention facilities for monitoring bodies like the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Ukraine has called for the immediate activation of international mechanisms to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
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A Sudanese human rights group has reported the army is torturing people to death in Khartoum, where the army recently regained control. The Emergency Lawyers group documented hundreds of arrests, with some detainees later found dead with evidence of torture. The group observed a dangerous escalation in violations, with detainees facing inhumane conditions, unfair trials, or release in poor health. Both the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of atrocities during the ongoing civil war, contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis and a cholera outbreak.
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Investigative journalists have identified Dr. Ilya Sorokin as the alleged perpetrator of torture against Ukrainian prisoners of war at Penal Colony No. 10 in Mordovia, Russia. Sorokin, nicknamed “Dr. Evil,” reportedly subjected detainees to beatings, stun gun use, humiliation, and denied medical care. These prisoners endured grueling conditions, including forced standing for extended periods, constant exposure to Russian patriotic songs, and coerced recitations of the Russian national anthem, with at least 177 soldiers experiencing severe physical and psychological abuse. Sadly, at least four prisoners died during this period.
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In a recently resurfaced 2003 video, a 17-year-old Stephen Miller, now a White House official, described torture as a “celebration of human life” while discussing Saddam Hussein and Iraqi civilians. The clip shows Miller advocating for the torture of Hussein and his associates while expressing the need to “respect” other cultures. During his time in high school, Miller was accused of making inflammatory and discriminatory remarks against minority students, with former classmates recalling insensitive comments. Further, he organized controversial events in college, displaying a consistent pattern of cultural insensitivity and drawing criticism for his viewpoints.
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New court documents reveal that Kilmar Ábrego García, wrongfully deported to El Salvador, endured severe physical and psychological torture during his three-month detention at the notorious Cecot prison. He was forced to kneel for extended periods, denied basic necessities, and held in overcrowded, windowless cells under constant bright lights. Despite prison officials acknowledging his lack of gang affiliation, they threatened his safety while also staging photos to appear as though conditions had improved. Ábrego García faces human-smuggling charges in the U.S., while legal battles continue over his potential deportation to a third country.
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In a recent order, Republican justices on the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump may effectively bypass laws and treaties protecting immigrants from torture. This temporary order allows the administration to send immigrants to potentially dangerous countries while the *D.V.D.* case is litigated. The administration appears to have exploited a loophole, attempting to deport individuals to countries, such as South Sudan and Libya, where they face a high risk of torture without providing new hearings. Justice Sotomayor dissented, highlighting the potential for a deadly trap, as the administration seems to be intentionally selecting unsafe destinations after immigration hearings have already been completed.
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A Frankfurt court sentenced a Syrian doctor, Alaa M., to life imprisonment for war crimes and torture committed in Syria between 2011 and 2012. The sentence, which stems from the deaths of two individuals and torture of nine others, includes a finding of particularly grave guilt, virtually eliminating the possibility of early parole. The court highlighted the doctor’s sadistic tendencies and enjoyment of harming those he deemed inferior. Alaa M., who had lived and worked in Germany for a decade, was arrested after being recognized by victims.
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A recent 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia offered a glimmer of hope for thousands of Ukrainian families. However, the exchange highlighted the dire conditions faced by Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), with nine out of ten reporting torture, including physical and sexual abuse. This brutality extends to thousands of Ukrainian civilians held captive by Russia, who face similar treatment and forced assimilation. A Ukrainian POW, Dr. Volodymyr Labuzov, detailed the horrors he witnessed, including the destruction of cities and offers from captors to join them in conquering Europe. Labuzov urged the international community to acknowledge and address the ongoing genocide against Ukrainian people.
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Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna’s body, returned to Ukraine after death in Russian custody, showed extensive signs of torture, including abrasions, bruises, a broken rib, and possible electric shock. A Russian autopsy had removed vital organs, including the brain and eyeballs, potentially concealing evidence of strangulation or suffocation. Despite the body’s condition, a 99% DNA match confirmed her identity. The investigation has been reclassified as a war crime and premeditated murder.
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The body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, returned to Ukraine in February 2025 as part of a prisoner exchange, was found to be missing several internal organs, including her brain and eyeballs. A joint investigation revealed evidence suggesting post-mortem dissection and torture, including a bruised neck consistent with strangulation and a Russian document referencing “СПАС,” potentially masking the true cause of death. The missing organs hampered definitive determination of the cause of death, though ongoing investigations indicate a high probability of torture during her captivity in Russian-occupied territory. Ukrainian authorities are treating her death as a war crime.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Stephen Miller: Resurfaced Teen Clip Shows Torture as “Celebration of Human Life”
In a recently resurfaced 2003 video, a 17-year-old Stephen Miller, now a White House official, described torture as a “celebration of human life” while discussing Saddam Hussein and Iraqi civilians. The clip shows Miller advocating for the torture of Hussein and his associates while expressing the need to “respect” other cultures. During his time in high school, Miller was accused of making inflammatory and discriminatory remarks against minority students, with former classmates recalling insensitive comments. Further, he organized controversial events in college, displaying a consistent pattern of cultural insensitivity and drawing criticism for his viewpoints.
Read More