The Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation requests that the issue of amending the draft law on extension of grounds and changing the use of force and special means procedure in penal facilities be reviewed.

Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia Ella Pamfilova has sent the relevant letter of appeal to Prime Minister of the Russian Government.

The letter expresses her concern about the amendments to be made to the draft federal law On Facilities and Authorities Executing Punishments in the Form of Deprivation of Liberty and the federal law On Custody of People Suspected or Accused of Committing Crimes in the part of the legal regulation related the use of force and special means by penitentiary staff.

The Commissioner believes that extension of grounds and changing the use of force and special means procedure in penal facilities will damage the country’s reputation.

In view of the case’s ambiguity, Ms Pamfilova has asked to suspend introduction of the draft law to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russia and to conduct a supplementary expert review.

For reference:

Previously, the law On Facilities and Authorities Executing Punishments in the Form of Deprivation of Liberty failed to contain the norms regulating the use of force by superintendents in case an imprisoned resists. The new draft law permits the use of force by penitentiary staff, if non-force methods fail.