Permanent Mission of India, Geneva

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group
25th Session (02-13 May 2016)

2nd UPR of Tajikistan– Interactive Dialogue
Friday, 06 May 2016, 02:30 pm - 06:00 pm

Statement by India

Mr. President,

India warmly welcomes the delegation of Tajikistan led by H.E. Mr. RustamShohmurod, Minister of Justice of Tajikistan.

2.       We welcome Tajikistan’s continued cooperation with various human rights mechanisms including the Special Procedures mandate holders and the treaty bodies. We note with appreciation the series of national action plans that have been formulated to implement Tajikistan’s various human rights commitments. We encourage Tajikistan to consider issuing a standing invitation to Special Procedures mandate holders.

3.       We commend Tajikistan for the adoption of its Judicial Reform Programme as well as the National Action Plan on Juvenile Justice for the period 2017-21. These steps, along with other penal reforms, reflect Tajikistan’s willingness to address an important aspect of promotion and protection of human rights.

4.       While appreciating Tajikistan’s efforts towards bringing about gender parity, we encourage the country to counter the persisting stereotypes regarding the role of women and work towards reducing the gender pay gap and addressing the issue of domestic violence. We would request the delegation to share more details regarding the reform of the Committee for Women and the Family.

5.       We appreciate Tajikistan’s efforts to bring in suitable amendments to Code of Criminal Procedure for safeguarding the rights of suspects and accused persons in custody including their access to defence counsels, inadmissibility of evidence obtained under duress, through deception or other unlawful acts and harsher punishment for use of torture, which will ensure justice to all parties to criminal proceedings. 

6.       We commend Tajikistan’s efforts towards alleviating poverty that are reflected in the drastic fall in poverty rate from 81% in 1999 to 31% in 2015. We encourage Tajikistan to take effective steps towards reinstating returned migrants in the economy.

7.       We welcomeTajikistan’s efforts towards promotion and protection of human rights of the persons with disabilities including the accession to CRPD. In this regard, we recommendthat Tajikistan continue to promote inclusive education for children with disabilities. 

8.       We wish the delegation of Tajikistan all success in its current and future endeavors. 

Thank you Mr. President.

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