Training is an important component of freedom from torture

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.

So, Paragraph №12 of the National Plan: “Training”

This paragraph implies the implementation of the following measures:

·        Translation into the nation’s official language of international documents in the field of freedom from torture, including Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, and Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.

·        Include study of standards of freedom from torture in programs for qualification upgrading of law-enforcement body officers, prison staff, judges, prosecutors, military servicemen, lawyers, etc.

·        Develop guidance manuals for standards of freedom from torture, for various representatives of state authorities, and develop methodology for evaluating the efficiency of such educational programmed execution.

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