DUSHANBE, July 6, 2012, Asia-Plus -- On Thursday July 5, the European Union Delegation to Tajikistan issued the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission.

The EU Delegation to Tajikistan reportedly welcomes the adopted amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan abolishing two articles providing for criminal defamation. The EU Delegation trusts that this measure will make a positive contribution to the respect of the freedom of the media and freedom of expression in Tajikistan.

At the same time, the EU Delegation notes that the Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan still foresees criminal charges in certain cases and encourages the Tajik Government to abolish the remaining provisions and thus entirely decriminalize defamation.

The EU will continue to support the development of media freedom and freedom of expression in Tajikistan, the statement said.

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon signed the law criminalizing libel and defamation, downgrading the offenses to civil violations on July 3.

That means journalists accused of libel would face an administrative court rather than criminal prosecution.

Administrative courts could issue fines for a libel conviction but not a prison sentence.  Meanwhile, distribution of obviously false information defaming a persons honor, dignity and reputation was punishable by up to two years in jail under Article 135, and insult, that is, the abasement of honor and dignity, expressed in an indecent way, was punishable by up to two years in correctional labor.

The new legislation, however, does not alter a criminal law calling for up to five years in prison for those who libel or insult the president (Article 137).