OSCE event discusses role of NGOs in reforming Tajik prison system
(Oksana Vulpe/OSCE)The OSCE Centre in Dushanbe tries to raise human rights awareness through training seminars. (Oksana Vulpe/OSCE) Photo details
DUSHANBE, 30 July 2003 - The important role non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could play in the development of prison reform in Tajikistan was the focus of an OSCE roundtable held today in the capital, Dushanbe.
Main objective of the event was to raise the awareness of NGOs engaged in human rights advocacy in Tajikistan about the process of penitentiary reform in the country and to define their role in its further promotion.
Among items discussed were compliance of the penitentiary system with international norms and standards, as well as the potential involvement of NGOs in monitoring appropriate implementation of these norms and standards and related commitments.
"Civil society plays a key role in the process of making criminal policy more humane," said Birgit Kainz, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Rule of Law Officer for Central Asia.
"NGOs can promote new, progressive legislation, as well as improve the living conditions for prisoners, offer legal consultations and monitor the respect of human rights in detention places," she added. "The experience of foreign countries shows that close co-operation between the state and NGOs in this field promotes a better image of the prison service."
Former Director of the Penitentiary Service of Kazakhstan, Petr Pasmakov, stresses the importance of the decision to assign the prison system to the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. "Co-operation with NGOs is a fundamental starting point of successful prison system reform," he said.
Deputy Head of the Tajik Penitentiary System, Garbisho Aknazarbekov, welcomed the initiative to hold the roundtable and the atmosphere of mutual understanding between civil society and government structures on the issue. He said that many NGOs provide much needed assistance. "We are ready to increase openness and transparency in the work of the penitentiary system," he added.
Several NGO representatives welcomed the fact that the Penitentiary System of Tajikistan is beginning to open up. Other participants included representatives of Tajik executive structures and NGOs, among them, Vera Tkachenko, Regional Director of Penal Reform International.
The event was organized by the OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe and the Office of Corrective Affairs of the Tajik Justice Ministry.
Main objective of the event was to raise the awareness of NGOs engaged in human rights advocacy in Tajikistan about the process of penitentiary reform in the country and to define their role in its further promotion.
Among items discussed were compliance of the penitentiary system with international norms and standards, as well as the potential involvement of NGOs in monitoring appropriate implementation of these norms and standards and related commitments.
"Civil society plays a key role in the process of making criminal policy more humane," said Birgit Kainz, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Rule of Law Officer for Central Asia.
"NGOs can promote new, progressive legislation, as well as improve the living conditions for prisoners, offer legal consultations and monitor the respect of human rights in detention places," she added. "The experience of foreign countries shows that close co-operation between the state and NGOs in this field promotes a better image of the prison service."
Former Director of the Penitentiary Service of Kazakhstan, Petr Pasmakov, stresses the importance of the decision to assign the prison system to the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. "Co-operation with NGOs is a fundamental starting point of successful prison system reform," he said.
Deputy Head of the Tajik Penitentiary System, Garbisho Aknazarbekov, welcomed the initiative to hold the roundtable and the atmosphere of mutual understanding between civil society and government structures on the issue. He said that many NGOs provide much needed assistance. "We are ready to increase openness and transparency in the work of the penitentiary system," he added.
Several NGO representatives welcomed the fact that the Penitentiary System of Tajikistan is beginning to open up. Other participants included representatives of Tajik executive structures and NGOs, among them, Vera Tkachenko, Regional Director of Penal Reform International.
The event was organized by the OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe and the Office of Corrective Affairs of the Tajik Justice Ministry.