DUSHANBE, November 3, 2014, Asia-Plus – Asked about the number of political prisoners in Tajikistan, Jumakhon Davlatov, President’s Plenipotentiary Representative to Parliament, said, “Tajikistan has no political prisoners.”
The 2014 amnesty will be the 16th amnesty the government has approved since 1991 and 100,214 convicts have been amnestied during the previous 15 amnesties, Davlatov noted.
According to him, there are currently some 10,000 people imprisoned in Tajikistan. “The amnesty will apply not only to those who are serving their terms in penal colonies but also to those who are under investigation,” Davlatov said.
Asked about the possibility of corruption during the amnesty process, Davlatov noted that a special commission would be set up to inspect the implementation of the amnesty law.
We will recall that Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament passed the amnesty law on October 29. The law is expected to apply to some 10,000 people.
Speaking at the Majlisi Namoyandagon session, Tajik Prosecutor-General Sherkhon Salimzoda noted that would not apply to those convicted of serious crimes. “The law does not grant amnesty to those convicted of murder, rape, terrorism, espionage, and treason,” Tajik chief prosecutor noted. The amnesty will also not apply to those convicted of a large-scale drug trafficking.
Prisoners eligible for release reportedly include those who are disabled, World War II veterans, military deserters, convicts over 55, women and minors, those suffering from cancer or other serious illnesses, and foreign nationals. The amnesty will also apply to participants of political and armed conflicts in Tajikistan.
“112 prisoners suffering from cancer, TB and ischemic heart disease will be released under the 2014 amnesty,” Salimzoda said.
The amnesty will also be extended to prisoners, who were imprisoned for up to five years for crimes of inconsiderable or middle gravity or have served three-quarters of their terms – except for those found guilty of serious crimes.
The amnesty will also apply to those convicted of economic crimes if they repair damage, Tajik chief prosecutor stressed.
Meanwhile, deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon warn that the amnesty law can become a pretext for corruption.
Speaking at the Majlisi Namoyandagon session, MP Saodat Amirshoyeva noted on October 29 that the government and civil society should take measures to prevent corruption among law enforcement officers during the application of the amnesty.
She also called on the government bodies to take adequate measures to provide the amnestied people with jobs and ease their adaption to life outside prison.
A previous amnesty law in 2011 granted freedom to 4,300 prisoners, reduced jail sentences for another 5,000 inmates, and dropped the charges against 5,000 accused.
