DUSHANBE, July 17, Asia-Plus - “In order to ratify the Second Facultative Protocol to International Pact pf Civil and Political Rights aimed at abolishing death penalty Tajikistan should carry out a serious preparation work,” Mr. Sherali Jonov, an official with the Tajik MFA, remarked at the conference “Tajikistan: From Moratorium to Abolition of Death Penalty” in Dushanbe on July 17.  

According to him, both “for” and “against” viewpoints have been expressed in Tajikistan in terms of abolition of the death penalty in the country.  “It is to be noted that that arguments from both sides have been quite weighty,” said Mr. Jonov, “Therefore it is necessary to thoroughly analyze and generalize the judicial practice as well as prepare the public opinion.”

Besides, the work of the MFA will not be enough for this, according to him.  “It is necessary to draw other ministries and organizations, lawyers and media into this work in order to thoroughly analyze the situation that has formed in the country following the introduction of the death penalty moratorium in Tajikistan,” the MFA official stressed.  Only after that it will be possible to prepare the government’s proposals to the Majlisi Namoyandagon ( Tajikistan ’s lower chamber of parliament) on abolition of the death penalty, according to him.