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!

18. Uktamjon Igamov

The 27-year-old resident of Tursunzade Uktamjon Igamov died on June 2 at the detention facility in Khujand, allegedly as a result of ill-treatment by law enforcement officials. 

Igamov was detained on 19 May 2016 on the extremist charges. On 28 of May he was transferred from the SCNS department in Khujand, Soghd region to Khujand Pretrail detention centre, however on 2 June he was taken to the regional hospital in unconscious condition where he died at 15.40 pm. According to the doctors his death was caused by oesophageal bleeding and liver failure.

Uktamjon Igamov was diagnosed with Hepatitis B, which caused hepatocirrhosis and he required a medical treatment and special diet. However, the prison authorities failed to provide necessary medical assistance to him. During the last days of his life he was in very serious condition and could hardly walk, his right leg was swollen.