In Tajikistan, children are subjected to torture

The human rights organization recorded several cases of torture and ill-treatment, including against a minor boy.

According to a report by the Rehabilitation Group of the Coalition of Civil Society Against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan, published on September 12 on the organization’s website, 9 victims of torture were admitted for rehabilitation in the first half of 2024.

The victims reported ill-treatment by employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Anti-Corruption Agency, and the Drug Control Agency.

It is reported that among the victims there are 7 men, including one minor boy, and 2 women. Of the total number of victims, 6 are direct victims of torture and ill-treatment, and 3 are relatives of the victim.

The victims complained of blows to the head, face, and legs, blows to the lower back and ribs, and hair pulling. There were also complaints of psychological pressure from law enforcement officers, insults, including those based on nationality, and obscene language.

As a result of diagnostics, the victims and their relatives were found to have elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, heart pain, back pain, severe headaches, rib pain, knee pain, kidney pain, leg pain, and chest pain.

Despite the serious accusations, only three employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the city of Khujand have been charged with “abuse of office.”

The use of torture and ill-treatment is common in police stations and the State National Security Committee, places of detention, and temporary holding facilities.

Unfortunately, non-governmental organizations only record a small portion of such cases, as victims of torture usually do not publicize what happened, fearing retaliation from law enforcement.

Human rights organizations in the country are also afraid to investigate and publish cases related to the torture of political prisoners and their relatives. This situation further complicates the struggle for the rights of those who are subjected to torture in Tajikistan.