On 26 of June the whole world will commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1997 with a view to eradicate torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (TCIDT) and ensure the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

On 15 of June, the NGO Coalition against Torture in Tajikistan launched a campaign "Support the victim of torture! Stop impunity!", that will last throughout 26th of June.

Starting from 15 of June the Coalition will publish one story per day about the victims of torture and ill treatment on its website and social media accounts.

What can you do? Add comments under the stories; send messages of encouragement for the victims of torture and ill-treatment and their families. You can also contribute by sending a short video (maximum 2 minutes) and download it under the concrete story using the #notorturetj hashtag or send it to the Coalition’s e-mail notorture.tj@gmail.com, as well by reposting the stories.

All words of encouragement will be delivered to the victims of torture and ill-treatment and their families, and published on the Coalition’s website on the final day of the campaign.

Support the Victims of Torture! Stop impunity!

7. Hamzali Ikromzoda

The death of the 27 year old Hamzali Ikromzoda who died in the custody was broadly covered by Tajik press in autumn 2012. Hamzali relatives are assured that he was the victim of torture and ill-treatment. The official medical report states that that the marks on Hamzali body were caused by desperate attempts to revive him after he had been found. The forensic experts claim that Ikromozoda committed suicide by hanging.

Hamzali’s brother Amirali, says his elderly parents still haven’t recovered from the loss of their son. He mentioned that from a very young age his brother always protected the most vulnerable and offended. “Hamzali could give his life for justice,” - says Amirali.