DUSHANBE, July 2, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan’s draft report on implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) in the country was discussed in Dushanbe on July 2.

The meeting participants included representatives from international organizations and civil society.  They, in particular, considered the process of implementation of recommendations given to Tajikistan by the International Committee against Tortures in Geneva in November 2006 during consideration of reports submitted by the member nations.

Over this period, a working group made up of experts has been set up in Tajikistan to evaluate the situation.  One of members of the working group, Sherali Jonov, noted that considerable work has been carried out in Tajikistan in that direction in recent years.  “The Ombudsman Institution was set up in the country and a new Criminal Procedure Code was adopted,” said Jonov, “As far as we know, the issue of making changes to the country’s Penal Code concerning concrete definition of torture is currently being considered.”

In the meantime, human rights activist, Ms. Nigina Bahriyeva, noted that though the main part of the report was ready, there were still many issues to be solved.  “The important part of the report is the statistical information and examples of consideration of the torture-related criminal proceedings.  The report does not contain any concrete examples; there is just fragmentary information,” she noted.

The meeting participants also noted that officials not always provided the working group members with necessary information, alleging “privacy” of it.  Such a situation, for example, emerged with implementation of recommendations on ensuring an opportune, unbiased and thorough investigation into all torture claims and all cases of deaths in prisons.

We will recall that Tajikistan joined CAT on July 21, 1994 and the Convention came into force for Tajikistan on February 10, 1995.