OSCE supports roundtable discussion on implementation of Tajikistan’s Penal Reform Strategy for 2020-2030

A roundtable event to discuss and co-ordinate activities on the effective implementation of the National Strategy on Penal Reform for 2020-2030 took place on 4 March 2021 in Dushanbe.

The European Union, together with Penal Reform International, organized the event, whose aim was to discuss key areas of co-operation on how to implement the National Strategy on Penal Reform as well as developing concrete recommendations for the effective implementation of the Strategy and its Action Plan. The Strategy was developed with the Programme Office’s support in 2016 and approved by the Government on 25 June 2020. Participants discussed the work of the penal system of the Republic of Tajikistan during the COVID-19 pandemic and further plans for developing the medical service within the framework of the Penal reform strategy.

Some 47 experts, civil society representatives, government officials, media community and international organizations, almost half of them women, attended the event.

Robert Heuer, Head of the Human Dimension Department of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe said: “Today's event provided a platform for dialogue, information-sharing and updates on the new national penal reform strategy and various implementing efforts that are already underway, including rehabilitation and reintegration for adult and juvenile offenders, alternative sentencing and probation. We look forward to continued co-operation in advancing penal reform with a human rights based approach.”

Ilhom Mahmudzoda, Deputy Head of the Main Administration for Execution of Criminal Penalties of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan said: “The Main Administration for Execution of Criminal Penalties of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan is grateful to the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe for its assistance in developing and implementing the Penal System Reform Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2030 and looks forward to constructive cooperation in the future work.”

“The European Union remains committed to providing its full political and financial support to the implementation of the prison reform in Tajikistan, with a particular focus on human rights aspects,” said Nils Jansons, Political Officer-Attaché from the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan.

Participants discussed issues related to the rehabilitation programme for prisoners; methodology and criteria for prisoner classification and risk assessment tool; alternative sentencing and probation; and promoting a human rights-based approach in reforming the penal system.