Independent grievance mechanism is indispensable!

On January 24, 2019 the Government of Tajikistan has adopted National Plan of Actions for 2019-2022 to fulfill recommendations of the United Nations Committee Against Torture. The National Plan consists of 22 paragraphs: investigation of torture cases, punishment for torture, intensification of activity of Human Rights Ombudsman in RT, basic legal guarantees and remedies, access to independent lawyer, inspection of detention places, custodial detention conditions, independent grievance mechanism, indemnification and rehabilitation, etc.

The National Plan envisages around 80 measures aimed at improvement of legislation and law enforcement practices as to prevention of torture. Implementation of the National Plan involves a wide range of state authorities, courts, law-enforcement bodies, Ombudsman institution.

Independent grievance mechanism is indispensable!

So, Paragraph №14 of the National Plan: “Independent grievance mechanism”

This paragraph implies the implementation of the following measures:

·        Study the supervision of statistical records of complaints about torture and cruel treatment.

·        Develop efficient mechanisms for timely requests of apprehended persons and persons deprived of liberty, as to torture and cruel punishment, to public prosecution bodies of RT, Human Rights Ombudsman or other competent authorities, and consider impartially those requests.

·        Consider issues of improving a mechanism for confidential filing a complaint about torture and cruel treatment.

This material has been prepared by the International Torture Victims Protection Day that is marked every year on June 26.

Torture is like a dreadful virus, and there is only one vaccine against it – public disclosure.

Activities dedicated to the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture became possible within the framework of the project “Support for anti-torture agenda and human rights groups in Tajikistan”, funded by the European Union.