Press Release on the Launch of the EU-Funded Project on Human Rights and Prison Reform Tajikistan

EU-Funded Project on Human Rights and Prison Reform Launched in Dushanbe

     Dushanbe, 16 April 2025 — On 15 April, the official launch of the project “Advancing Fundamental Rights: Strengthening Civil Society, Preventing Torture, and Transforming Prisons for Human Rights in Tajikistan” took place in the capital of Tajikistan. The project is implemented by the PO “Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law” in partnership with the Public Foundation “Tashabbusi Huquqi” and the French human rights organisation Prison Insider, with financial support from the European Union.

     The event brought together representatives of government bodies, civil society, and international organisations. Coinciding with the project launch, the first training was held for the monitoring group under the Human Rights Commissioner of the Republic of Tajikistan on visiting places of deprivation and restriction of liberty within the framework of the pilot model of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) “Ombudsman+”.

    In her opening remarks, Director of the Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Nargis Zokirova, emphasised that the key goal of the project is to prevent torture and ensure accountability for such violations: “The project aims to establish an effective National Preventive Mechanism and to support Tajikistan in ratifying international treaties on combating torture. Our strategic partners include the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner of Tajikistan, the Main Directorate for the Execution of Criminal Sentences under the Ministry of Justice, as well as civil society and international organisations.”

    In his speech, the Human Rights Commissioner of Tajikistan, Umed Bobozoda, stressed the importance of fulfilling international commitments: “Back in 2013, we initiated the creation of a monitoring group, which has since carried out 149 visits to places of detention. This work contributes to the promotion of human rights and lays the foundation for a fully-fledged National Preventive Mechanism.”

    EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Tajikistan, Raimundas Karoblis, also delivered welcoming remarks: “Ratifying the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and establishing the NPM are key components of effective anti-torture efforts. It is encouraging to see that these steps are included in the National Human Rights Strategy. The European Union actively supports this process through expert and technical assistance.”

    He reminded attendees that since 2020, the EU has supported prison reform in Tajikistan, including the development of a reform strategy and the adoption of international standards: “We are pleased to see that the strategy is being implemented and is contributing to improving conditions of detention, access to education, healthcare, and rehabilitation programmes for prisoners.”

     Participating remotely, Elina Steinerte, Vice-Chair on NPMs of the UN Subcommittee for Prevention of Torture, highlighted the importance of Tajikistan's participation in the Optional Protocol and voiced support for the training session: “This document is aimed at preventing torture through regular preventive visits. Launching training for monitoring groups is an important step towards strengthening human rights mechanisms.”

    As part of the event, a two-day training session for the pilot NPM monitoring group was held on 15–16 April. The training, based on the “Ombudsman+” model, was conducted by international human rights and anti-torture expert Azamat Shambilov (IPPF) and representatives of Prison Insider.

    For more information, please contact: Nargis Zokirova Director, Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law zokirovan@gmail.com