OSCE Office supports discussion on preventing torture

DUSHANBE, 09 July 2008 - The prohibition and criminalization of torture, as well as the rehabilitation of torture victims, was the focus of a two-day roundtable discussion, supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, that concluded today in Dushanbe.

The event, "Tajikistan and the UN Convention against Torture", brought together government and non-governmental representatives to discuss key matters such as the criminalization of torture; access to prisons by international bodies and domestic players; ensuring lawyers' access to detainees; and the right to lodge a complaint. Participants also discussed how training of officials and strengthening civil society involvement can contribute to preventing torture.

"The foundation of international human rights law strictly prohibits torture under any and all circumstances," said Payam Foroughi, OSCE Human Dimension Officer. "Therefore concrete action and continuing political will is needed to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent ill-treatment and torture."

The roundtable discussion follows on the concluding observations of the initial report by the UN Committee against Torture in November 2006 and was supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, UNDP, UNHCR, European Commission, Tajik Presidential Apparatus and the Bureau of Human Rights.

Tajikistan acceded to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 1995.