DUSHANBE, October 18, 2010, Asia-Plus — A roundtable entitled “The Right to Decent Living Conditions in the Context of Eviction from Residential Property in Tajikistan” took place in Dushanbe on October 15.
The meeting brought together representatives from public associations, practicing lawyers and representatives from Dushanbe’s municipal government.
The monitoring of observance of human rights in the event of forced eviction from residential property for the public needs was presented at the meeting.
The meeting members, in particular, discussed issues related to evictions in Dushanbe in connection with withdrawal of parcels for public use, eviction from residential premises in family-and-marriage relationships, compensation for demolition of residential buildings in Gorno Badakhshan, the homeless situation in Tajikistan and population’s access to information about the Dushanbe municipal redevelopment plan.
Speaking at the meeting, Abdurahmon Sharipov, a lawyer with the law firm, Contract, noted that the cases of withdrawal of parcels for public use have become quite frequent in Dushanbe in recent years as part of ambitious municipal redevelopment plan that included the construction of modern buildings.
“Dushanbe residents have the right to familiarize themselves with the municipal redevelopment plan and be informed of territories, where parcels will be withdrawn and residential buildings are targeted for demolition in preparation for the planed construction,” said Sharipov, “However, municipal officials refuse this information, alleging secrecy of this information.”
Thereby they violate citizens’ right to access to information, provided for by the country’s law on access to information, the lawyer said.
Mirsharif Sahobov, acting head architect of Dushanbe, noted that the Dushanbe municipal redevelopment plan would be approved only next year.
