Over the first three months of this year, the Legal Aid Group (LAG) has received eleven complaints about use of torture and degrading treatment by law enforcement authorities, according to the NGO Coalition against Torture in Tajikistan.
According to the complaints, law enforcement officers have used systematic beatings to extort confessions, torture, sexual abuse, and electric shock during interrogations.
The complaints have reportedly been written mainly against police officers — ten complaints. And one complaint has been written against an employee of prosecutor’s office.
In 2018, Coalition reportedly registered 44 complaints about use of torture and other cruel treatment by Tajik law enforcement authorities.
On January 24, the Government of Tajikistan adopted the National Plan of Actions on implementing the UN Committee against Torture (CAT)’s recommendations for 2019-2022.
The National Plan of Actions consists of the following points: investigation into the torture cases; punishment for use of torture; intensification of activities of Ombudsman’s Office; main legal guarantees, access to independent attorney; inspection of penitentiary institutions; detention condition; independent mechanism of acceptance and consideration of complaints about torture; compensations and rehabilitation; etc.
The National Plan provides for 80 events aimed at improving Tajikistan’s legislation and enforcement practice on preventing torture.
Established in 2011, the NGO Coalition against Torture has reportedly brought together twelve individual persons and twelve public associations.
The Coalition operates on the basis of agreed Rules and Principles for participation in the NGO Coalition against Torture in Tajikistan and the Civil Society Strategy to Combat Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan.
The Coalition activities are supported by the European Union, Tajikistan Branch of Open Society Institute/Assistance Foundation, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and some other funds.
