UN grills Russia on torture cases and 4,000 deaths in custody in 2017 alone
The UN Committee against Torture wants Russian officials to prosecute alleged widespread cases of torture, but some expect ‘non-action’ to be the response
Geneva — On Wednesday, UN human rights experts urged Russian officials to prosecute alleged widespread cases of torture, including beatings, electric shocks or burial in snow at labour camps in Siberia. Deputy justice minister Mikhail Galperin, leading Russia’s delegation at a hearing of the UN Committee against Torture, said strict rules governed the use of force in prisons. "Each case where a detainee is harmed or if, in particular, they die as a result of physical force, special measures, or use of firearms, the prosecutor is informed within one day with supporting documentation." But Galperin gave no details of any officials prosecuted for torture at the start of the two-day examination of Russia’s record. Russia will respond to detailed questions on Thursday. Some 600,000 people are held in nearly 1,000 prisons and detention centres across Russia, with 4,000 deaths from various causes recorded each year, "one of the highest rates in the Council of Europe countries", panel chair...
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