DUSHANBE, November 19, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan has endorsed the national program for protection of participants in criminal proceedings.

The national program for protection of participants in criminal proceedings designed for 2013-2016 was approved on November 2, Mahmadali Vatanov, Head of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Committee on Legislation and Human Right, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

“The RT Law “On the Protection Program for Participants in Criminal Proceedings,” which was adopted early this year, provides for state protection for victims, witnesses and other participants in criminal proceedings,” Vatanov said.

This law reportedly governs a special form of non-procedural protection of participants in criminal proceedings.

“The national budget has earmarked more than 6 million somoni (equivalent to some 1.3 million U.S. dollars) for implementation of this program,” noted MP Vatanov.  “The funds will be spent for assigning bodyguards to participants in criminal proceedings, providing protection of dwelling and property, purchasing special means of personal protection and communications, ensuring confidentiality of information about protected persons, moving to another place of residence, replacing ID cards, changing appearance, etc.”

“Moving the protected person to the temporary place of residence is conducted at the expense of reserves of housing stocks of local authorities,” the parliamentarian stressed.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI), which coordinates the protection program for participants in criminal proceedings along with other relevant ministries and agencies, is responsible for implementation of this program.