The Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan supports a new project “Human Rights Protection for Prisoners and Ex-prisoners in Tajikistan” within the framework of the program “European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Country Based Support Schemes (CBSS) for Tajikistan”.

According to the EU Delegation, the project will be implemented by the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (DVV International) together with two local partners – Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law and NGO Jahon.

The project is reportedly funded by the European Commission (75%) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (25%).

The two-year project is expected to contribute to protection of human rights of one of the most disadvantaged groups of the population – prisoners and ex-prisoners, with specific focus on realization of their social, economic and cultural rights in Tajikistan and will cover 450 prisoners at the penal institutions #3/8 in Nurek town and #3/6 in Yovon town, as well as over 800 ex-prisoners in 10 cities and district centers of Tajikistan, including Dushanbe, Khorog, Khujand, Qurghon Teppa, Vahdat, Bobojonghafourov, Vose, Panjakent, Devashtich, and Jaihun.

The project will also institutionalize the social reintegration consultation mechanisms between civil society and national or local public institutions through development and dissemination of a roadmap on social reintegration of ex-prisoners, capacity building and strengthening information sharing and referral mechanisms between penal institutions, civil society organizations, legal aid centers network, adult training and employment centers.

During the opening event that took place at the conference hall of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan on April 28, the Project goals and objectives were presented to the broad public, potential stakeholders, and specialists working with risk groups (ex-prisoners, prisoners).

At least 30 representatives of governmental, non-state, international organizations and media attended the event.  The organization that participated in the event are interested not only in shaping tolerant attitude of the society towards prisoners and ex-prisoners, but also in assisting them in restoring social relevant relationships, acquiring employment, and forming a sustainable motivation in reintegrating to the society.