DUSHANBE, March 29, 2012, Asia-Plus — Members of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) have unanimously seconded the law providing for introduction of the definition of “torture” into the country’s Penal Code.
The eighth session of the Majlisi Milli of the fourth convocation, presided over by its head, Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, was held on March 29.
Presenting the law, Mamadsho Ilolov, Head of the Majlisi Milli Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms, Constitutional Rights and Legality, noted that amendments were mainly connected with recommendations of the United Nations to bring the country’s legislation into compliance with the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
The law introduced into the Penal Code the definition of “torture.” Article 143’ (Torture) was introduced into the Penal Code. This article provides for five year years in prison for use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
We will recall that Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) endorsed the bill requiring amendments to the country’s Penal Code on February 26, 2012.
Before that, Tajikistan’s Penal Code did not have separate article against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The use of torture could be punished under several articles of the Penal Code by up to two years in prison but general wordings of those articles do not define “torture.”
The Majlisi Milli also seconded the laws requiring amendments to the laws on militsia (police), licensing system, state forensic examination and weapons as well as the laws requiring amendments to the administrative code and the criminal punishment execution code.
In the meantime, the Majlisi Milli did not second the law on making amendments to the country’s customs code as requiring improvement.
The laws adopted by the Majlisi Namoyandagon are submitted to the Majlisi Milli, with the exception of the Law on the State budget. The Majlisi Milli shall second the law by a majority of votes of the total number of its members. In the event the Majlisi Milli doesn’t second the law, it shall be considered at the Majlisi Namoyandagon repeatedly. If the Majlisi Namoyandagon does not agree with decision of the Majlisi Milli, the law shall be considered to be adopted if Majlisi Namoyandagon by not less than two-thirds of the votes confirms the decision previously adopted by it.
Introducing is another thing,
Introducing is another thing, torturing is just a practice. They even published books for Tajik militia how to “behave”!