DUSHANBE, July 15, 2013, Asia-Plus — The Human Rights Committee concluded its consideration of the second periodic report of Tajikistan on its implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on July 10.
According to the Human Rights Committee, Rustam Mengliyev, Minister of Justice of Tajikistan, presenting the report, said that Tajikistan was striving to ensure the effective application of the provisions of the Covenant. Many human rights structures had been established, including commissions on human trafficking, migration and the rights of the child. The juvenile justice system was undergoing reform and a moratorium on the death penalty had been introduced in 2009. Conditions of detention had been improved in order to bring them in line with international standards and a new Criminal Procedure Code had entered into force in 2010. The Constitution guaranteed citizens’ freedom of speech and, in accordance with the law on public associations adopted in 2003, the establishment and operation of associations advocating racial, nationalist, social or religious hatred were prohibited.
The Committee reportedly inquired about the application of the Covenant and asked if any court decisions had been based on its provisions or had used these provisions to interpret domestic law. The Committee raised questions about gender equality and domestic violence and Experts commended Tajikistan for imposing a moratorium on the death penalty. Other issues taken up during the interactive dialogue included the independence of justice, the right to a fair trial, asylum procedures, restrictions imposed on the activities of public associations, and the right to freedom of religion and of expression.
In closing remarks, Mr. Mengliyev thanked the Committee for the constructive dialogue and said that Tajikistan would continue to engage with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Human Rights Council and United Nations treaty-bodies.
Nigel Rodley, Chairperson of the Committee, also in preliminary concluding remarks, said that the Committee was aware that Tajikistan was still a society in transition and less than a quarter of a century had elapsed since Tajikistan emerged as an independent State. Mr. Rodley noted with appreciation the confirmation that a moratorium on the death penalty was in place.
The delegation of Tajikistan included representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Council of Justice, the Department of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic, the Committee on Women and Family Relations, the Office of the Prosecutor, the Committee on Religious Affairs, and the Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
