KHUJAND, September 27, 2011, Asia-Plus — Residents of Khujand that have been released from prisons under the 2011 amnesty have begun to receive hardship allowances, according to the Sughd agency for social protection of the population and migration.
“To-date, we have received the list of 64 amnestied prisoners, who must receive hardship allowances and be placed in jobs,” said the source. “In accordance with the country’s legislation, they will receive monthly allowances of 80 somoni each during three months.”
According to him, the Khujand-based enterprises and organizations have offered 264 jobs and employers have promised to pay monthly wages of 120.00 to 700.00 somoni.
“But employers need skilled workers, while many of those released from prisons do not have specialties, and therefore, they have problems with employment,” the source added.
According to the Sughd agency for social protection of the population and migration, 1,166 unemployed have been registered in Khujand this year.
We will recall that the 2011 amnesty mainly benefits men over 55, those prisoners suffering from cancer or tuberculosis, and women. The amnesty also applies on members of political parties, public associations and illegal religious organizations who were sentenced to five years in prison as well as persons who were sentenced to more than five years in prison and have served three-quarters of their terms. The amnesty also applies on militants who fought government troops in 1997 in Khatlon province, Dushanbe, Hisor, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda as well as armed clash of 1998 in Sughd province if they have served half their sentences.
The amnesty excludes those serving sentences for serious crimes such as terrorism and extremism, killing two and more people, recidivists or those who committed crimes in prison.
In all, more than 15,000 people are expected to fall under the 2011 amnesty. 4,000 prison inmates are expected to be released, while others may have their prison terms cut.
This is the 13th amnesty the government has approved.
