URGENT: More Info Needed on Tajikistan Presidental Criminal Pardon Bill

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Hi all,

I Have a family situation that is effected by this event, trying to source further details on the bill (preferably in English...My Tajik is a little rusty ).

Specifically, that historically a pardon bill has included clemency for those with no prison-able offences, the fines for petty crimes in the 'Stans can be ridiculously huge...This bill appears to only be focused on prisoner release, not the usual prison time reduction or petty crime clemency.

My Google-fu is not strong today, but perhaps others more in touch with the AO, might have better G2.

Much appreciated

Cheers

S

[JJ_BPK]

Found this, but I'm sure you need more detail.

President of Tajikistan submits amnesty bill to Parliament that will apply to 10,000 convicts

Bishkek (AKIpress) - prison1 Tajik President Emomali Rahmon submitted the amnesty bill to the Parliament for consideration. The bill offers to pardon 10 thousand prisoners, the presidential press service reported.

The amnesty bill was submitted in accordance with the principles of mercy and humanity on occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tajik Constitution adoption.

The press service noted that the amnesty will be applied to prisoners, who committed crimes before its entry into force, and those, who need the pardon over age, health condition and other aspects.

The draft law defines the procedure, timeframe and other issues of the amnesty.

The amnesty will apply to the convicts, who have served three quarters of their prison term, who committed crime by negligence, those who committed minor and moderate offenses and serving up to 5 years prison term, persons, who were sentenced to a year and half in prison. However, those convicted of murder, rape, state treason, violent seizure of power, public calls for violent change of the constitutional order, espionage, terrorism will not fall under amnesty.

The adoption of the amnesty bill is a humanitarian act, allowing imprisoned persons to return to normal life, work and family, the press service added.

The previous amnesty was announced in Tajikistan in 2011 on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence, which pardoned 4.3 thousand prisoners, including 196 women and 153 minors. About 5,000 got reduced their sentences.

There are more than 17 penal institutions in Tajikistan, where more than 10 thousand prisoners are held, according to the Tajik Ministry of Justice.

16:45 20.10.2014

http://www.akipress.com/news:549938/

Вчера, 18:11
Tajik Parliament Board Discusses Amnesty Draft Law



Avesta.Tj | 20.10.2014 | The board of Tajikistan's Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower chamber of the parliament) discussed Monday a number of bills, including the draft law on amnesty proposed by the Tajik president Emomali Rahmon, according to the Majlisi Namoyandagon press service.



Majlisi Namoyandagon board also discussed amendments proposed to the country’s laws on internal troops, border troops, status of servicemen, state defense order, military pension benefits, combating terrorism, state forensic inquiry, state fingerprint registration, national security bodies, environmental protection, advertisement, civil defense, and especially preserved natural territories.



Besides, the Majlisi Namoyandagon board discussed issues related to ratification of the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.



The board decided to carry out hearings over the implementation of the law on the national budget for 2014 to the end of October.



All issues discussed by the board have been sent for detailed study to the relevant Majlisi Namoyandagon committees.
http://www.avesta.tj/eng/4416-tajik-...draft-law.html

[tonyz]

PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN

Commentary on draft Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “About amnesty”

20.10.2014 08:00, Dushanbe city

Today, President of Tajikistan, exercising his constitutional right in the spirit of philanthropy, mercy and with the view of giving an amnesty on the eve of the 20th anniversary since the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, has submitted draft Law of Tajikistan “About amnesty” for consideration of Majlisi namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Law “About amnesty” covers those persons who have committed crimes before the implementation of the Law and who need amnesty from a point of view of gender, age, health state, and elimination of danger of crimes committed by them.

The law stipulates a group of persons who are amnestied, the order and terms of implementation of the act, the implementing bodies of this act, as well as solution of other issues related to the implementation of amnesty.

The draft Law envisages an amnesty for the convicted persons who have served three fourth of their terms, women, juveniles, men aged more than 55 years old, participants of the Great Patriotic War and war operations in the territories of other states, participants of political and military resistance in Tajikistan, persons who have been injured as a consequence of tragedy of Chernobyl Atomic Electricity Station, disabled of I, II and III groups, the persons with such diseases as cancer, tuberculosis of respiratory organs and lungs, heart problems, persons who have evaded conscription or abandoned military unit without permission, as well as foreigners.

Besides it, those convicted who have committed crimes by negligence, despite the type of criminal penalty and those persons who have committed crimes of little gravity and average gravity and who have been sentenced up to 5 years of imprisonment, are also amnestied.

Moreover, persons who have been sentenced to imprisonment of more than 5 years and served two third of their punishment, if they have not committed especially grave crimes, will be amnestied.

Those who are sentenced or punished for especially committing crimes of little gravity and average gravity for up to five years and those persons who before the implementation of the Law should still finish serving their term after 1 year and 6 months, except for those who have committed crimes of homicide, murder, rape, state betrayal, usurpation of authority, public invitation to change of constitutional order through violence, espionage, vandalism and crimes connected to terrorism, will further be freed from punishment and criminal liability.


According to draft Law, the reduction of term of imprisonment is implemented in respect to other convicted.

In accordance to preliminary data, the Law is to be implemented with regard to more than 10 thousand suspects, charged, defendants and convicted.

The adoption and implementation of the Law “About amnesty” is a humanitarian act and its mission is to render those persons who committed crimes into a tranquil life and work, family atmosphere, as well as to reform them.


http://president.tj/en/node/7737

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Great info guys, "Strong, the Google force with this one, is".

Unfortunately still ambiguous on the specific issue at hand. Being time sensitive, we've reached out to Amnesty International, to see if they have any ears to the ground on details.

Cheers for the effort gents

S

[tonyz]

Tajik lower Parliment press release today - Nov 6 looks to be target date.


20/10/2014 DUSHANBE, October 20, 2014, -- The board of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament discussed the draft law on amnesty at an October 20 meeting, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov.

The Majlisi Namoyandagon board also discussed amendments proposed to the country’s laws on internal troops, border troops, status of servicemen, state defense order, military pension benefits, combating terrorism, state forensic inquiry, state fingerprint registration, national security bodies, environmental protection, advertisement, civil defense, and especially preserved natural territories.
Besides, the board discussed issues related to ratification of the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
The board reportedly decided to carry out hearings over theimplementation of the law on the national budget for 2014 before the end of October.

All issues discussed by the board have been sent for detailed study to the relevant Majlisi Namoyandagon committees.

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon sent the draft law on amnesty for consideration to the Majlisi Namoyandagon on October 20.

The amnesty will be announced on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Constitution.

Prisoners eligible for release reportedly include those who are disabled, World War II veterans, military deserters, convicts over 55, women and minors, those suffering from cancer or other serious illnesses, and foreign nationals. The amnesty will also apply to participants of political and armed conflicts in Tajikistan. The amnesty will also extended to prisoners, who were imprisoned for up to five years for crimes of inconsiderable or middle gravity or have served three-quarters of their terms -- except for those found guilty of murder, raping, terrorism, or other serious crimes.


According to the preliminary data, the 2014 amnesty is expected to apply to 10,000 people.

http://parlament.tj/en//index.php?op...article&id=540

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Turns out the Tajik Presidential Press Service translates Tajik better into Russian than English...who woulda thunk.

We had a friend read the Russian translation, and it appears the new legislation will cover our situation...

Now for the rest of the E+E plan

S