DUSHANBE, October 5, 2011, 2011, Asia-Plus — More than 100 prisoners suffering from tuberculosis who have completed the treatment but need to pass a regular medical check-up, have been granted amnesty, according to the Main Punishment Execution Directorate within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
Meanwhile, the Bulletin of the UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan (September 2011, Issue 30) reports that in connection with that, the prison and civilian TB services, together with specialists from the National Centre for TB Control and with the assistance of UNDP HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Control Program in Tajikistan, Project HOPE, Caritas Luxembourg and AFEW, have developed guidelines for the redirection of TB patients from the criminal system to civil society. Further detailed plans were discussed at meetings, including for the transmission of all medical records and TB drugs to the civilian sector.
Expected difficulties in released TB patients’ treatment were highlighted; for instance many prisoners do not have a permanent residence and they are not being accepted by society and families. The meetings also discussed the special role of district TB specialists, who are responsible for providing appropriate treatment services and clinical observation of TB patients, as well as conducting preventive work with convicts’ families and local communities. Special attention was paid to management activities concerning released people living with HIV/AIDS, who need immediate treatment.
The 2011 amnesty mainly benefits men over 55, those prisoners suffering from cancer or tuberculosis, and women. The amnesty also applies to 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 benefits 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.
