DUSHANBE, February 29, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- On Wednesday February 29, Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) endorsed a bill requiring amendments to the country’s Penal Code.

Presenting the bill, Prosecutor-General Sherkhon Salimzoda noted that amendments were mainly connected with recommendations of the United Nations to bring the country’s legislation into compliance with the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

He noted that legal foundation for prevention of tortures had been laid in the country.  Tajik chief prosecutor, however, noted that the current Penal Code did not have separate article against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

According to him, the use of torture may be punished under several articles of the current Penal Code by up to two years in prison but general wordings of those articles do not define “torture.”

Meanwhile, the new law has reportedly introduced into the Penal Code the definition of “torture.” Article 143’ (Torture) was introduced into the Penal Code.  This article provides for five year years in prison for use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

According to Salimzoda, the Prosecutor-General’s Office received 48 torture complaints in 2010.  Last year, 26 such complaints were lodged to the Prosecutor-General’s Office.