DUSHANBE, August 7, 2014, Asia-Plus -- PM Ismoil Talbakov, who represents the Communist Party (CPT) in Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament, calls on the president to announce amnesty on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Constitution.

“The amnesty will serve, first of all, reunion of prison inmates with their families and strengthening of the family institution and will help reinforce ranks of the country’s labor potential,” MP Talbakov told Asia-Plus in an interview.

“Besides, the international practice has proven that amnesty also serves strengthening of statehood because released prisoners will be grateful to the president and the government of the country,” the parliamentarian noted.

According to him, the amnesty should extend to, first of all, elderly people, minor, women, and young people who committed minor crimes.

“We, parliamentarians representing the CPT in the parliament, believe that all members of the Majlisi Namoyandagon will endorse the draft law on amnesty if the president submits it to the Majlisi Namoyandagon,” Talbakov noted.

There have been twelve amnesties in Tajikistan since 1991.  Under the most recent, in July 2011, more than 4,300 prisoners, including 196 women and 153 minors, were released and some 5,000 prisoners had their jail terms reduced.  The 2011 amnesty, announced on the occasion of Tajikistan’s 20th Independence Anniversary, also extended to more than 5,000 people awaiting legal proceedings in pretrial detention.

Prisoners eligible for release under the 2011 amnesty included people with disabilities, World War II veterans, military deserters, convicts over 55, and those suffering from cancer or other serious illnesses.  The 2011 amnesty also extended to members of banned Islamic groups and political parties who were imprisoned for up to five years or have served three-quarters of their terms -- except for those found guilty of murder, terrorism, or other serious crimes.

Under the previous amnesty that was declared in November 2009, some 10,000 prisoners were released.

According to the statistical data from the Ministry of Justices, more than 10,000 people are currently serving their jail terms in 17 penitentiary institutions in Tajikistan.