AKIPRESS.COM - A six-day OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe-supported meeting of the working group to examine and discuss key issues for the development of the 2020-2030 Penal Reform Strategy’s Implementation Plan for Tajikistan concluded on 16 August 2020 in Varzob, Tajikistan.

Organized by the Main Prison Department under the Justice Ministry, with support of the OSCE and Prison Reform International, the meeting gathered 19 members of the working group.

Participants discussed various issues related to the management of violent extremist prisoners. They talked about ways to prevent radicalization into violence of prisoners in closed facilities, reducing the prison population, and developing alternative sentencing and probation institution. Participants also focused on strengthening safety and security measures in closed facilities and on developing a comprehensive prison rehabilitation programme.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe promotes the implementation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (“the Nelson Mandela Rules”) in full compliance with international human rights norms and standards.

“Our focus also includes the right to freedom of movement, freedom of expression and privacy, gender equality and the principle of non-discrimination,” said Robert Heuer, Head of the Human Dimension Department of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

Boibalazoda Rustam, first Deputy Head of the Main Prison Department under the Justice Ministry said: "This reform strategy, adopted by the Government of Tajikistan, is very important and special attention is given to its implementation. We express our gratitude and thank our partners, including the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, for supporting the meeting of the expert working group to develop the implementation plan."

In 2016, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe provided support to an expert working group to develop the Penal Reform Strategy and organized several public discussions. In 2020, the Government approved the Penal Reform Strategy and considered recommendations provided by the expert working group.

International and national experts, state bodies and civil society representatives, with the support of the OSCE, will continue to work on the implementation plan.