Tadschikistan
On February 3, 2026, a high-level international conference was held in Dushanbe, dedicated to the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), the exploration of pathways to its ratification, and the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in the Republic of Tajikistan.
The event was attended by representatives of the Human Rights Guarantees Department of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Tajikistan, and other state bodies, as well as Ambassadors of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries accredited in Tajikistan. Members of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and representatives of international and national civil society organizations also participated.
The conference aimed to discuss the benefits and challenges associated with the ratification of OPCAT and the establishment of an NPM. Participants emphasized the importance of independent monitoring of places of detention to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The establishment of an NPM would involve creating a body responsible for conducting regular visits to all places of detention, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability within the country's detention facilities.
This initiative reflects Tajikistan's commitment to strengthening human rights protections and aligning its practices with international standards.
