Russian Federation: Torture, ill-treatment and death in the army

Index Number: EUR 46/010/1997
Date Published: 31 March 1997
Categories: Europe And Central Asia, Russian Federation

This report documents Amnesty International's concerns relating to allegations of torture and ill-treatment of soldiers by their superiors, in some cases resulting in death, including forced suicides. These violations go beyond the brutal practice of "dedovshchina", the violent and cruel hazing of young recruits. Amnesty International is further concerned at the failure of the authorities to take steps to prevent these violations, or to conduct prompt and impartial investigations into complaints of torture and deaths in the army. A number of cases of ill-treatment of conscientious objectors in police custody have also been reported.