Statement by Yabloko Chairman, 8.09.2025

Photo by Valery Melnikov, Kommersant

Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma a bill on the denunciation of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Punishment.

The Yabloko party expresses its absolute disagreement with this initiative. This step is unacceptable from the point of view of protecting human rights and complying with our country’s international obligations.

The Convention, which has been in force for almost 30 years, provided an additional level of guarantees against the use of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment. It served not only as a legal instrument, but also as a moral compass, confirming our commitment to European values ​​and respect for human dignity.

Refusal to participate in the Convention will not only weaken the system of protecting citizens from abuse in the closed systems of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Penitentiary Service, but will also deal another blow to the country’s image, once again confirming the Russian government’s unwillingness to comply with basic standards of humanity.

We are convinced that such a step is contrary to the interests of society, the Constitution and democratic principles, which we insist on. An attempt to isolate the country from international control mechanisms will not solve existing problems, but will only exacerbate them.

Yabloko resolutely opposes the denunciation of the Convention and calls on the State Duma deputies and the President to abandon this initiative.

We will consistently defend the right of every person to freedom from torture and degrading treatment – a right that cannot be the subject of political games.

Nikolai Rybakov,

Yabloko Chairman