Tajikistan: Joint NGO Report Highlights Persistent Gaps in Safeguards Against Torture
Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity (Coalition against Torture), the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR), and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) submitted a joint NGO report to the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT) on Tajikistan’s implementation of the Convention against Torture in the context of the CAT’s 84th session, taking place from 13 April to 1 May 2026.
Eight years after the previous review, torture and other forms of ill-treatment remain widespread in Tajikistan. This joint submission examines developments since then, identifies persistent gaps, and aims to strengthen safeguards.
The report assesses measures taken by the Tajik authorities to prevent torture and ill-treatment and highlights key concerns regarding compliance with the Convention, particularly in police custody and pretrial detention. It notes certain positive steps, including increased penalties for torture, relevant legal and policy reforms, and the adoption of the Strategy for Reforming the Penitentiary System (2020–2030).
At the same time, the report raises concerns and provides recommendations to the Government on legislative amendments, government strategies and their implementation, the definition of torture, the availability of comprehensive statistics, statutes of limitations and prisoner amnesties, fundamental legal safeguards, the effectiveness and independence of investigations, access to redress, the exclusion of evidence obtained under torture, domestic violence, the treatment of LGBT persons, including torture, ill-treatment and discrimination, ill-treatment in the military, and conditions of detention.
The report is available in English.