Torture still widespread in Tajikistan 20 years after the country acceded to anti-torture treaty

Torture still widespread in Tajikistan 20 years after the country  acceded to anti-torture treaty
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Convention against Torture) came into force in Tajikistan on 10 February 1995. By acceding to the treaty, the authorities of Tajikistan pledged to protect everybody under their jurisdiction from torture and other forms of ill-treatment, to reflect in law and practice the principles enshrined in the Convention, to cooperate with the Committee against Torture and to implement its recommendations.

But twenty years later, torture and impunity for it remain widespread in the country. From 2011 to 2014, members of the NGO Coalition against Torture in Tajikistan documented more than 100 cases of men, women and children who were allegedly subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. Perpetrators were brought to justice only in exceptional cases. The human rights groups jointly issuing this statement believe that many victims of torture did not file complaints for fear of reprisals.

Heightened international attention to torture in Tajikistan in recent years and thorough study of the situation by international human rights bodies and mechanisms including the Committee against Torture and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Special Rapporteur on torture) resulted in the issuing of a set of recommendations to the authorities.

On the twentieth anniversary of the treaty entering into force in Tajikistan, the human rights groups jointly issuing this public statement published a briefing, entitled “Tajikistan needs to do more to end torture,” which provides an up-to-date overview of the current situation of torture or other forms of ill-treatment, including in the army.

Noteworthy positive steps taken by Tajikistan in recent years include introducing an article on torture in the Criminal Code (Article 143) with a definition of torture that is in line with that contained in the Convention against Torture. As a result, by 2014, four criminal cases under this article were opened; and the courts ordered compensation to the families of two men who had died as a result of torture.

The briefing identifies serious gaps and weaknesses in the legislative and institutional frameworks. It highlights practices that continue to facilitate widespread torture and virtual impunity for the perpetrators in Tajikistan. Among other issues, it focuses on the lack of sufficient legal safeguards accessible to detainees in pre-trial detention and the need to routinely implement existing ones; the lack of an independent mechanism to investigate torture allegations; and the need for regular, independent, unannounced and unrestricted visits to inspect detention facilities across Tajikistan.

It is clear that Tajikistan must do more to eradicate torture. The authorities should mark the twentieth anniversary of the Convention against Torture’s coming into force by ensuring that the case of Samandar Jalolzoda is investigated thoroughly, impartially and independently and that anyone found to be responsible for ill-treating him is brought to justice. In addition, the authorities should act on the recommendations included in the briefing “Tajikistan needs to do more to end torture” as a matter of urgency.

Download the briefing paper.