Ivan Simonovic: I discussed at length the problem of torture

On 22 May, in Dushanbe I met the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and of Justice, the Prosecutor General, the Ombudsman, and representatives of civil society and the international community.

I appreciated the awareness of top government officials of the challenges and shortcomings in the area of human rights. They recognised that there is a long way to go and that human rights and the rule of law are essential in the process of building a democratic state, achieving economic development and consolidating peace and stability following the end of the civil war in 1997. My meeting with civil society showed me that in Tajikistan there is a growing, sophisticated and articulate civil society. It has clear views on the human rights priorities for the society and can contribute a lot in this regard.

I welcomed the cooperation of the Government with the UN Human Rights mechanisms, including in particular the 2012 visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and the recent review by the Committee against Torture. I encouraged the Government to keep the door open for visits by other UN Human Rights Special Procedures by issuing a standing invitation and giving priority consideration to the Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Expression, Peaceful Assembly and Association and Human Rights Defenders.

I discussed at length the problem of torture and was grateful for having been granted, at short notice, a visit to a prison on the outskirts of Dushanbe. I highlighted the importance of allowing access for the ICRC to all places of detention places and of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture to provide for independent monitoring of all places of deprivation of liberty.

I welcome preparations towards the abolition of the death penalty, following the progressive reduction in the number of criminal offences with capital punishment and the moratorium introduced in 2004. I called on the authorities to conclude the reflection process currently underway with de jure abolition through ratification of the second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

In all my meetings, I raised the issue of empowering women and particular concerns about violence against them. With regard to the implementation of the recently adopted law on domestic violence, I urged the Ministers of Interior and Justice and the Prosecutor General to strengthen participation of women as police officers and prosecutors. More broadly, increased representation of women in public life would enhance the visibility and role of women in society.

I discussed the situation of other vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, children, migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers, as well as other issues such as human rights and counter terrorism, non-refoulement, the freedoms of religion and belief, of expression, of association and of peaceful assembly as well as the human rights due diligence policy. I also raised some individual cases.

My overall impression is that significant effort is on-going in bringing national legislation in line with international human rights standards. Implementation is now key, as is coordination among national and international partners. The implementation of recommendations from UN Human Rights mechanisms under a senior-level national coordination body is a practical way to bring about the required human rights changes. This would also be a useful framework to focus the combined efforts of the Government, civil society and the Ombudsman, with the support of the international community.

At a time when Tajikistan is discussing its potential membership in the UN Human Rights Council, the Government needs to make additional progress to improve the human rights situation in the country. OHCHR remains committed to continue supporting these efforts.