Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE227
2006-02-03 03:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIK PRISON FACILITIES IN POOR CONDITION
how-toVZCZCXRO4672 PP RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHDBU #0227 0340327 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 030327Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6597 INFO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1441 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0726 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 7696 RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1351 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1385 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1389 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1321 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1262 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1351 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1295 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1256 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1152 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0926 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1406
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000227
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, DRL, SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CASC TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK PRISON FACILITIES IN POOR CONDITION
REF: A) DUSHANBE 208; B) DUSHANBE 058
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000227
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, DRL, SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CASC TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK PRISON FACILITIES IN POOR CONDITION
REF: A) DUSHANBE 208; B) DUSHANBE 058
1. (U) This message replaces REFTEL A, adding TAG: CASC.
2. (U) PolOff visited a youth detention center and
Tajikistan's central penitentiary medical facility January 31.
Both facilities are in poor condition and lack adequate medical
supplies and equipment. Deputy Minister of Justice, Izzatullo
Sharipov, granted EmbOffs access in hopes the United States
would provide medical supplies to the penitentiary system
(REFTEL B). The Ministry told EmbOffs it would consider
allowing other international organizations to accompany officers
on future visits.
3. (U) This visit is considered a significant breakthrough,
since many international organizations still do not have regular
monitoring privileges and access to prisons. Ministry of
Justice officials told Embassy sources the Ministry denied the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access after
several months of prison visits because the ICRC failed to
produce assistance to the penitentiary system and had only
complaints for the Ministry. The Ministry complained that the
ICRC did not cooperate and communicate fully with the Ministry,
and wanted to visit the prisons only on ICRC terms and schedule.
4. (U) The penitentiary medical center is the only facility in
Tajikistan where prisoners can receive treatment. The center,
set up on December 9, 2005, is currently under renovation and
has 29 doctors for 200 patients. Approximately 25 patients are
crammed bed-to-bed in each room. There are two small operating
rooms with what appeared to be 1950's equipment. The operating
room PolOff viewed was unclean and unhygienic. It had one
operating table, rusty pans, and one set of medical tools and no
signs of disinfectants. Tuberculosis is the most common illness
among prisoners. Officials noted they have enough TB
medication, donated by Moldova.
5. (U) PolOff spoke to patients in the presence of several
officers and guards. Patients remarked that the doctors treat
them well and respond to their requests and complaints. It is
likely their answers would have been more critical if officials
had not been present.
6. (U) The youth detention center housed 96 boys ages 14-18.
The boys live 25 to a room and attend school on the compound for
four hours a day. They also work on the facilities, shoveling
snow, cleaning rooms, and cooking in the cafeteria. A small
on-site factory is being built where the boys will work
manufacturing plastic goods for a small salary. The head of the
detention center pointed out that the center observes the law
and does not force the youths to do hard labor. Relatives are
allowed to visit the boys up to three times a week and are even
sometimes permitted to remain overnight with the boys. The
youth detention center medical facility consists of one room
with some rubbing alcohol, a bed, and a set of examination tools
for all to share.
7. (SBU) COMMENT: To say the penitentiary system's medical
facilities are sub-standard would be a gross understatement; it
is clear why even the notoriously hard-handed Sharipov would
request assistance. During the visit, all officials were
cooperative and seemed to genuinely want to improve their
facilities. They specifically requested medical equipment and
renovation help, but never direct financial assistance. Post is
working with Project Hope and the Ministry of Health to possibly
channel some medical supplies to the penitentiary system in
June. Post continues efforts to establish a good relationship
with the notorious disciplinarian Sharipov and would like to see
sustained access to prison facilities before committing to U.S.
assistance. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, DRL, SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CASC TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK PRISON FACILITIES IN POOR CONDITION
REF: A) DUSHANBE 208; B) DUSHANBE 058
1. (U) This message replaces REFTEL A, adding TAG: CASC.
2. (U) PolOff visited a youth detention center and
Tajikistan's central penitentiary medical facility January 31.
Both facilities are in poor condition and lack adequate medical
supplies and equipment. Deputy Minister of Justice, Izzatullo
Sharipov, granted EmbOffs access in hopes the United States
would provide medical supplies to the penitentiary system
(REFTEL B). The Ministry told EmbOffs it would consider
allowing other international organizations to accompany officers
on future visits.
3. (U) This visit is considered a significant breakthrough,
since many international organizations still do not have regular
monitoring privileges and access to prisons. Ministry of
Justice officials told Embassy sources the Ministry denied the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access after
several months of prison visits because the ICRC failed to
produce assistance to the penitentiary system and had only
complaints for the Ministry. The Ministry complained that the
ICRC did not cooperate and communicate fully with the Ministry,
and wanted to visit the prisons only on ICRC terms and schedule.
4. (U) The penitentiary medical center is the only facility in
Tajikistan where prisoners can receive treatment. The center,
set up on December 9, 2005, is currently under renovation and
has 29 doctors for 200 patients. Approximately 25 patients are
crammed bed-to-bed in each room. There are two small operating
rooms with what appeared to be 1950's equipment. The operating
room PolOff viewed was unclean and unhygienic. It had one
operating table, rusty pans, and one set of medical tools and no
signs of disinfectants. Tuberculosis is the most common illness
among prisoners. Officials noted they have enough TB
medication, donated by Moldova.
5. (U) PolOff spoke to patients in the presence of several
officers and guards. Patients remarked that the doctors treat
them well and respond to their requests and complaints. It is
likely their answers would have been more critical if officials
had not been present.
6. (U) The youth detention center housed 96 boys ages 14-18.
The boys live 25 to a room and attend school on the compound for
four hours a day. They also work on the facilities, shoveling
snow, cleaning rooms, and cooking in the cafeteria. A small
on-site factory is being built where the boys will work
manufacturing plastic goods for a small salary. The head of the
detention center pointed out that the center observes the law
and does not force the youths to do hard labor. Relatives are
allowed to visit the boys up to three times a week and are even
sometimes permitted to remain overnight with the boys. The
youth detention center medical facility consists of one room
with some rubbing alcohol, a bed, and a set of examination tools
for all to share.
7. (SBU) COMMENT: To say the penitentiary system's medical
facilities are sub-standard would be a gross understatement; it
is clear why even the notoriously hard-handed Sharipov would
request assistance. During the visit, all officials were
cooperative and seemed to genuinely want to improve their
facilities. They specifically requested medical equipment and
renovation help, but never direct financial assistance. Post is
working with Project Hope and the Ministry of Health to possibly
channel some medical supplies to the penitentiary system in
June. Post continues efforts to establish a good relationship
with the notorious disciplinarian Sharipov and would like to see
sustained access to prison facilities before committing to U.S.
assistance. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND