Russia
Meet Our Member:
Crew Against Torture
Since 2000 Crew Against Torture (then known as the Nizhny Novgorod Committee Against Torture) has conducted public investigations of complaints against torture, inhumane or degrading treatment and represented the applicant’s interests in the investigative bodies and the court. CAT also offers assistance in obtaining compensation, as well as, if necessary, in conducting medical rehabilitation activities.
Over 21 years of work, the CAT has received more than 3178 reports of human rights violations in Russia, has achieved compensation payments of more than 297 million rubles to victims, has won 78 cases in the European Court of Human Rights and has convicted 159 law enforcement officers guilty of torture and ill-treatment.
It has not been without problems; the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation has four times entered the CAT into the register of ‘organisations performing the functions of a foreign agent.’ Each time it has led to the liquidation of the organisation.
On June 11, 2022, the Committee against Torture was liquidated as an organisation. However, the team of human rights defenders continues to work to eradicate torture in Russia as the Crew Against Torture.
“A police officer hit me in the chest and I fell off the chair. I told them I was innocent. But then I realised that it was useless. They are not interested in an alibi or whether I was guilty or not.”
Russia:
A Regime of Abuse
Public advocacy against torture is always essential. In countries like Russia, where national courts are an extension of the regime’s oppression, diplomats are immune to criticism, and State censorship is absolute, exposing torture practices to the wider court of public opinion can often be the only way for survivors to have their experiences acknowledged.
In 2023, IRCT worked with its member in Russia, Crew Against Torture (CAT), to translate and condense some of their incredible film making exposing the everyday nature of torture in Russia, to bring it to English-language audiences online.
Over 21 years of work, the CAT has received more than 3178 reports of human rights violations in Russia, has achieved compensation payments of more than 297 million rubles to victims, has won 78 cases in the European Court of Human Rights and has convicted 159 law enforcement officers guilty of torture and ill-treatment.
IRCT’s Member centre Crew Against Torture in Russia
Regime of Abuse: Police Torture In Putin’s Russia
In part 1 of 3 we begin with the shocking case of the “everyday” torture of four men from the Black Sea resort city of Anapa, in Russia’s far south, who local police decide to blame for the robbery of some cigarettes. What can this “everyday” torture tell us about the abuse of power by Putin’s regime?
The films are produced by IRCT member Crew Against Torture.
One of the oldest rules of law is the absolute rejection by courts of confessions obtained through torture. In Russia, such confessions can provide the only evidence needed to convict the innocent.
In the 2nd part of the series on torture in Russia we explore the impunity offered police and prison guards in Russia.
Tortured then sentenced to house arrest for a crime they could not have committed, four Russian men and their families from Anapa struggle to rebuild their lives.
IRCT member in Russia Crew Against Torture provided the four men and their families with physical and psychological rehabilitation.
“They began to threaten me: “Now we’ll shove a club in your anus.”
I see that they are drunk and can do anything.”
Creating Awareness:
Torture in Russia’s Police Stations
Torture in Russian police stations and prisons is so systematic that police and prison officers have given the methods nicknames that resemble yoga asanas (poses).
Based on interviews with former prisoners, Crew Against Torture has created awareness of the widespread practice. In a series of short films famous Russian actors perform the most common methods of torture as if they were yoga poses.
Just how prolific torture in Russian prisons is came to light when a former prisoner leaked hundreds of videos of rape and other abuse in 2021.
For more information visit Crew Against Torture’s website.
“They gave me electric shock. They went on and on. More than an hour has passed. I couldn’t bear it anymore. Every person has a limit.”
Research:
Torture Journal
Background:
From IRCT Partners
OMCT on rusSIA
OMCT on rusSIA
OMCT on rusSIA
Amnesty on Russia
HRW on rusSia
