Free legal on-site consultations

Free legal on-site consultations

#МанTарафдориAзБайнБурданиШиканҷаҲастам! 

#ЯзаИскоренениеПыток! 

#IamForTheEliminationofTorture!

On May 07, 2021, from 10:00 to 12:00 a.m. in four districts of Dushanbe, the Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan jointly with the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman in Tajikistan provided free on-site legal consultations on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which is celebrated annually on June 26. 

 “To put an end to the use of torture against persons detained on

suspicion of having committed  certain crimes and persons serving

sentences in prisons of Tajikistan and to end mistreatment in the Tajik army”.

Rustam Emomali, Speaker of the Upper House of the Parliament of Tajikistan

Free on-site legal consultations were provided in the districts of Firdavsi next to the “Sultoni Kabir” market, Sino next to the “Dehkkon” market, Ismoili Somoni next to the “Mehrgon” market, and Shohmansur next to the “Hovaron” market.

Free legal consultations to citizens were provided by lawyers and defenders of the member organizations of the Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan (Sayfulloev Salimjon, Isoev Khushbakht, Sharipov Abdurahmon, Khaitov Salimjon, and Shozodaeva Gulguna) and the Head of the Political Department of the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman in Tajikistan, Husniddin Nidoev. During the provision of legal consultations to citizens, personal protective equipment against COVID-19 (medical masks and sanitizers) was distributed.

Citizens' questions referred to a wide spectrum of legal relations and human rights. Most of the citizens who requested legal consultation were concerned with labor migration and migrants' rights during the pandemic, housing and family rights and university students asked questions regarding labor relations and performing compulsory military service. Lawyers also explained to citizens the human right to freedom from torture.

Husniddin Nidoev, Head of the Political Department of the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman in Tajikistan responded to social-related questions and explained the powers of the Human Rights Ombudsman in Tajikistan, as well as the right to seek the protection of their rights.

 During the campaign, citizens mentioned that they faced challenges while obtaining legal consultation in the context of a pandemic and self-isolation, as well as expressed gratitude for the free legal advice provided.

It is noteworthy that while conducting the above-mentioned activity, the participants followed the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan, in particular the use of personal protection equipment against COVID-19 (masks, gloves, sanitizers, and social distancing).

How can we improve the situation? There is only one recipe – NOT TO BE SILENT!

Victims should not tolerate violence and inhuman treatment, should make such cases public, and should defend their dignity.

Journalists and human rights defenders (Civil Society) - to provide professional aid to victims, to speak about the problem.

The State should impose an absolute ban on torture and a duty to prosecute and punish those responsible.

The event was made possible with the financial support of Sigrid Rausing Trust and the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.

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