DUSHANBE, July 24, Asia-Plus -- A statement by the Principle’s Group of July 17 says, “We, members of the Principals’ Group in the Republic of Tajikistan, have been greatly exercised in recent months by the question of access to prisons and places of detention for the ICRC. We were optimistic when earlier this year both the Ministers of Justice and Interior of the Republic of Tajikistan led us to understand at a friendly meeting with them that there should be no problem in allowing the ICRC access to prisons in accordance with internationally accepted norms. We were equally pleased with their agreement that their ministries should participate in a joint Penal Reform Working Group of representatives of International Organisations and the Government of Tajikistan to discuss among others the issue of ICRC access to prisons in detail and come up with a mutual agreement.”

Members of the Principal’s much regret that despite the best efforts of several of our members participating in this Working Group, no positive development was noticed and no agreement on prisons access has yet been possible, the statement said. 

“Moreover, we note with profound regret that the ICRC, an international institution with a long history, which works throughout the world has already felt obliged to withdraw most of its international staff in Tajikistan as well as reduce its local staff, and now has plans to cut its presence yet further. We believe that the good reputation of Tajikistan will be greatly harmed by the inability of the ICRC to carry out its internationally recognised, confidential, humanitarian work here and could be even more damaged by an ICRC decision to further reduce its presence.”

Members of the Principals’ Group called on President Emomali Rahmon and the Government of the Tajikistan urgently to reconsider their decision on allowing full access to prisons and places of detention.

The Principals’ Group in Tajikistan is a coordination body of Ambassadors and representatives of donors and International Financial Institutions who participate in regular coordination meetings with a rotating chairperson. The Principals share information with one another on development issues and seek to draw further attention to important issues confronting Tajikistan.