19 Feb 2014 19:04

EU allocates two grants to Tajikistan to fight torture, support democracy

DUSHANBE. Feb 19 (Interfax) - The European Union has allocated two grants amounting to a total of 2.6 million euro for projects to prevent torture and support democracy in Tajikistan, the EU delegation in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe said on Wednesday.

The 1.2-million-euro grant will finance a project against torture and other violent means in Tajikistan.

"The 30 month project envisages different types of activities, such as: capacity-building, coordination and networking among NGOs active in the field of combating torture; legal support to victims of torture in Tajikistan; national and international advocacy to monitor fulfillment of international obligations related to freedom from torture as well as awareness-raising about the problem of torture in Tajik civil society," the EU delegation said in a statement.

Human rights organizations, in particular Amnesty International, said repeatedly they urged the Tajik authorities to stop torture, which, they think, is used in the country on a regular basis. Deaths of prisoners and suspects in the facilities of the Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office are reported at times. The accusations of torture are often denied and instead they write them off as suicide or accidental death.

The second grant of 1.4 million euro will finance five projects assisting the implementation of democratic reforms in Tajikistan.

In particular, the projects envisage legal help to blue collar workers in Tajikistan, support of independent mass media outlets, defending rights of prisoners, including those already released, measures to protect refugees and to develop the potential of civil society in Tajikistan.

The assistance the EU provided to Tajikistan during its independence exceeded 600 million euro.