The Coalition against Torture was not allowed to hold a presentation of the book “Broken Destiny” and a photo exhibition to commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

This year's planned events - presentation of the book “Broken Destiny” and photo exhibition dedicated to the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, will not take place.

The Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan reports that the planned presentation of the book “Broken Destiny” and the photo exhibition dedicated to the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture will not take place this year. We have not received appropriate authorization from official authorities to carry out events. 

On 10 May 2022, the “Independent Center for Human Rights Protection” sent a letter of notification to the Executive Body of State Power of Dushanbe and the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan on the activities of the Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity on the International Day in the Support of Victims of Torture, which is celebrated annually on June 26. It was noted in the letter that the upcoming campaign is conducted following the National Action Plan for the implementation of UN recommendations for 2019-2022.   

On May 24 “Independent Center for Human Rights Protection”, a member of the Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan, received a response letter from the Executive Body of State Power of Dushanbe signed by Odilzoda D.R., the Deputy Chairman of the capital, which states that to carry out these activities, to ensure security and public order, it was necessary to obtain a positive conclusion from the department of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan of Dushanbe and other relevant bodies, however, such a conclusion was not received. "Thus, we consider it impossible to carry out these activities without obtaining an appropriate conclusion," was noted in the letter from the Dushanbe administration.

To date, no response letter has been received from the SCNS.

The Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan prepared in advance for these events and sent letters of invitation to 23 government departments and organizations, 15 of which confirmed their participation. Among them are the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Supreme Court and the courts of the capital and capital districts, the Ministry of Justice, the Agency for State Financial Control and Fight with Corruption, etc.

The purpose of the event is to raise public awareness and education of young people, following international standards and the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan in the sphere of freedom from torture. The holding of such events helps to unite efforts and requirements to the state authorities to form a “zero tolerance” policy to torture in Tajikistan.