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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 62777, member: 636"] Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation Monday withdrawing the country from a European treaty designed to prevent torture and inhumane treatment. The move follows the Council of Europe's decision to block Russian representation in committee positions since December 2023. Moscow views this exclusion as discriminatory and claims it undermines the mutual monitoring system for torture prevention obligations. Russia joined the Council of Europe in 1996 but announced its departure in 2022 after the organization suspended its participation rights. The Kremlin has systematically denounced Council of Europe agreements since then while maintaining it will uphold human rights protections through domestic laws. Russian officials assert they remain committed to fighting abuse and violations under national legislation despite severing ties with European oversight mechanisms. [/QUOTE]