A report released by the Legal Support Group (LSG) of Coalition of the Civil Society against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan (Coalition) says cases of torture and mistreatment by law enforcement officials have continued in Tajikistan over the first six months of this year.
According to the LSG, there were eight complaints of torture and violence over the reporting period, with both adults and minors among the victims.
The most common forms of abuse reportedly included illegal detentions, beatings, use of electric shock, threats of sexual violence, and psychological pressure. These methods are typically employed to extract confessions, punish detainees, or humiliate them. Of the victims, four were men, one was a woman, and three were minors.
The report notes that one particularly alarming issue is the use of torture against minors, some of whom required hospitalization. As a result of the abuse, nine people were hospitalized, including seven men and two women, one of whom was a minor boy.
Victims reported physical abuse such as blows to the head, face, legs, ribs, and back, as well as psychological abuse, including ethnic insults and verbal harassment.
Medical examinations reportedly revealed that the victims and their relatives suffered from high blood pressure, heart pain, and spinal injuries.
Issues with the judicial system
Human rights advocates also highlighted problems within the judicial system, such as delays in court proceedings, judges showing a lack of respect for the process, and limited access to court buildings for people with disabilities. Additionally, participants in trials, including lawyers, were searched, while law enforcement officers freely used their phones in the courtroom.
Pressure on defense lawyers
The report says defense lawyers representing victims of torture have also faced pressure. They are often required to sign non-disclosure agreements, which restrict the ability of human rights organizations to access crucial information. In some cases, lawyers are hesitant to take initiative due to concerns for their safety.
Criminal charges against law enforcement officers
Despite the challenging situation, there have been some positive developments. Criminal charges were filed against three officers from the Khujand police department for abuse of authority. There is also a growing trend of filing lawsuits for moral damage compensation in various courts.
Nevertheless, torture and mistreatment remain a serious problem in Tajikistan, despite efforts to hold those responsible accountable.
Coalition of the Civil Society against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan has been formed in September 2011 to engage the civil society in concerted action against torture and impunity in the Republic of Tajikistan.
