In 2023, the Legal Aid Groups (GPP) and member organizations of the Coalition of Civil Society Against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan documented 16 cases related to torture and cruel treatment. Among them, 5 cases were reported by women, 2 by minors, and the rest by men. The report by GPP highlighted that torture and cruel treatment were used to extract confessions, punish for specific actions, or as a means of intimidation and humiliation.
The main age group of victims was between 35-45 years old (7 individuals), followed by 46-60 years old (5 individuals), two cases of individuals aged 19-34, and two cases of minors. The majority of complaints were related to the use of torture and cruel treatment by law enforcement agencies (15 cases) and one complaint was directed towards security forces.
GPP identified the main challenges faced by lawyers and alleged torture victims:
- Victims and their relatives refusing to appeal against the unlawful actions of law enforcement officers at different stages of the criminal case;
- Lawyers being denied immediate access to their clients as the pre-trial detention center administration requires written permission from the investigator;
- Detainees being misled or deceived about their imminent release in case of confessions;
- Forced self-incrimination in violation of the Criminal Procedure Code of Tajikistan;
- Requests by lawyers for access to CCTV footage, medical records of the accused, and detainee logs being ignored during court proceedings and often left unanswered;
- Unjustified delays in the preliminary investigation of torture cases;
- Investigators regularly ignoring lawyers' requests for additional investigative actions;
- Lack of security provided to torture victims and key witnesses;
- Lawyers being coerced to sign non-disclosure agreements regarding information obtained during the preliminary investigation, citing articles from the Criminal Procedure Code and the Criminal Code, which is unlawful and hinders providing comprehensive and objective information for monitoring documented cases;
- In some instances, lawyers handling torture cases refrain from showing extra initiative, even if they are legally entitled to do so, fearing potential pressure from the investigation.
The activities of the Legal Aid Group (GPP) of the Coalition of Civil Society Against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan are aimed at promoting the establishment of an effective system to respond to reports of torture and cruel treatment, an independent mechanism for investigating torture in Tajikistan, as well as coordinating activities to provide practical legal assistance to torture victims and their families.
The Coalition of Civil Society Against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan offers free legal and rehabilitation (medical and psychosocial) assistance. If you or your relatives have been subjected to torture and cruel treatment, you can call or message via WhatsApp or Telegram:
- +992 98 787 66 66 for the Khatlon region
- +992 98 787 33 33 for the Sughd region
- +992 98 708 76 76 for Dushanbe city and the GBA
Offices:
- Dushanbe city, Rudaki Avenue 137, Tajikmatlubot building
- Khujand city, Somoni Avenue 42, office 117
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