Geneva, 5 November 2021 (TDI): The Universal Periodic Review Group of the Human Rights Council had the Tajikistan review session; on 4 November. The Minister of Justice of Tajikistan, Ashuriyon Muzaffar Qurbonmuhammad, was present.
MUZAFFAR STATEMENTS
In the meeting, Muzaffar stated several priorities of Tajikistan. The first one was to strengthen social and political stability. The second one was to achieve the economic and social well-being of their citizens.
Muzaffar remarked that the 2016-2030 Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy has two main priorities. The first priority is to guarantee access to education, health, and employment. Then the second one is the fight against corruption, inequality, and also food insecurity.
Then Muzaffar mentioned that the Tajikistan Government has already implemented programs. He remarked that those programs have several aims in the meeting. The first three aims are to strengthen the rule of law, then to increase the level of legal assistance and education, and last the reform of the Execution of Criminal Sentences.
Muzaffar also mentioned that Tajikistan created a working group in 2017. This group had the duty to improve legal acts on three main issues. The first one was to effectively eliminate gender stereotypes, then to protect the rights of women, and also to prevent domestic violence.
The Minister also remarked on some of the measures that the government adopted regarding the pandemic. Muzaffar mentioned that the first measure to prevent the COVID-19 spread, and the provision of immunization through vaccines.
SHODI STATEMENTS
The second one was to compensate citizens and to provide tax preferences to businesses, as a response to the pandemic impacts. The Minister of Labour, Migration, and Employment of Population of Tajikistan, Amonzoda Shirini Shodi, was also present.
Shodi also mentioned some actions made by the Government. The first one was that they continued their efforts to narrow the gender wage gap. The second action was that Tajikistan adopted a law to forbid child labor for physical works that could be harmful.
ACTIONS ON STATELESS AND AFGHAN REFUGEES
Then the representatives mentioned that Tajikistan welcomed more than 15,000 Afghan citizens and that they worked on legalizing the situation of stateless people. Another measure of Tajikistan is that the country granted residence permits to 400 foreigners.
COMMANDMENTS OF OTHER STATES
At the meeting, the present States first commended Tajikistan for its cooperation and commitment with UN Treaty Bodies. The States also acknowledged Tajikistan for the establishment of the protection and children’s rights national commission.
The States congratulated Tajikistan for its commitment to advance and protect women’s rights. The present States also acknowledged Tajikistan for its efforts to tackle human trafficking, domestic violence, and the inclusion of people with disabilities.
They also commended Tajikistan for their ratification of the forced labor convention, the improvement of human rights education, and their efforts to eradicate poverty. The States acknowledged Tajikistan for decriminalizing relations between the same sex, to tackle statelessness through the adoption of a law. Finally, the States commended Tajikistan for its continuous efforts to reform the penitentiary system.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF STATES
The States made 17 recommendations to Tajikistan. The first ones were to abolish the penalty of death, and then to ratify the optional protocol of the Convention against Torture. The third recommendation was to ratify the second optional protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The States recommended Tajikistan also ratify the Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities, and the optional protocol of the Convention on the rights of the child on a communications procedure.
Regarding education, the first recommendation was to improve the quality and ensure inclusive education. Then the States suggested eliminating all barriers, so girls can access education, and fully criminalize child labor, and child marriage.
In issues regarding women and LBTI; the recommendations were to continue their fight against discrimination against women, and LGBTI society, and to increase female presence in political and public spheres. The states suggested Tajikistan also repeal laws that penalize freedom of beliefs and religion.
On freedom of expression, the States recommended the protection and promotion of freedom of press and expression. To release journalists and activists that were arrested on political charges. The last one was to forbid violence, intimidation, and harassment against activists and lawyers of human rights.
Regarding security, the States suggested Tajikistan criminalize fully enforced disappearances and extend invitations to UN Experts.
ADOPTION OF REPORT AND PARTICIPATING STATES
The report will be adopted by the Universal Periodic Review Group on 9 November. 80 states participated in the review session of Tajikistan, on 4 November, during the 39th Session of the UPR.
International Relations student at the Universidad de Navarra in Spain. Main interests are the work of International Organizations like the UN in the scope of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable human beings and the environment
