TURKMENISTAN: LOCAL NGO HOLDS SEMINAR ON PENITENTIARY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000864 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: LOCAL NGO HOLDS SEMINAR ON PENITENTIARY SYSTEM ¶1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet distribution ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: At a July 9 seminar for the public on the penitentiary system of Turkmenistan, local NGO "Bosfor" Director Zalina Rossoshanskaya explained types of penitentiary systems in the world, types of penitentiary institutions in Turkmenistan, and the rights and responsibilities of convicts in the country. She also discussed various international penitentiary practices. Reminding the audience that Turkmenistan's new Criminal Procedural Code recently entered into force, Rossoshanskaya mentioned that the new Code introduced a bail system. She also said that the Turkmen government is currently working on reforming its penitentiary system to bring it in line with the Criminal Procedural Code. Representatives of state authorities did not attend the event, although they had been sent invitations. A lively discussion by the participants showed that there is a high level of interest among the public in such topics. END SUMMARY. US AND UK EMBASSIES ASSIST WITH HOLDING THE SEMINAR ¶3. (SBU) The Director General of the NGO "Bosfor" that works under the umbrella of Turkmenistan's Youth Union, Zalina Rossoshanskaya, opened the session, saying that the seminar "Penitentiary System" was held in the framework of the NGO's "Legal Clinic" project, with the assistance of Correctional Labor Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and support from the U.S. and UK Embassies. The project includes six seminars on topics that are in demand by the public. Bosfor applied for the U.S. Embassy grant of USD 2,900 in 2007 for its project "Mobile Legal Clinic" to provide trainings and legal consultations to vulnerable parts of the population, and started implementing the project in 2009. THIRST FOR INFORMATION ¶4. (SBU) In the course of the seminar, Rossoshanskaya gave an overview of the types of penitentiary systems in the world and the types of penitentiary establishments in Turkmenistan. Rossoshanskaya informed the audience that according to article 67 of the Criminal Code of Turkmenistan, convicts, depending on their age and the type of crime committed, are assigned to serve their terms in the following types of penitentiary institutions: minimum security correctional labor facilities, strict security correctional labor facilities, special security correctional labor facilities, juvenile correctional facilities, and penal colony settlements. In her presentation, she also talked about the main rights and responsibilities of convicts in correctional institutions, the interaction between convicts and staff of correctional institutions, convicts' proposals, statements and complaints, and international penitentiary standards. Rossoshanskaya devoted a separate section to similarities and differences between the amnesty and pardoning practices of the United States, Russian Federation, China, and Finland. Turkmenistan's new Criminal Procedural Code (CPC) entered into force on July 1, 2009. When asked what is the main significant change in the new CPC, Rossoshanskaya said that the new CPC allows for bail to be posted. However, the details of the bail system, including the determination of the amount, have yet to be issued. She also explained that the Turkmen government is currently working on reforming its penitentiary system to bring it in accordance with the new CPC. The presentation was followed by lively question and answer session. NO PARTICIPATION FROM STATE AGENCIES ¶5. (SBU) About 25 participants attended the event, including representatives from the UK Embassy, OSCE Center in Ashgabat, NGO "Keik Okara," and a representative of the Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as teachers and students of local grade schools, local youth and a journalist. Despite being invited, no government officials attended the event. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: The absence of government officials at an event about the penitentiary system suggests that the authorities would ASHGABAT 00000864 002 OF 002 prefer to avoid public discussion of such a sensitive topic and understand the government's shortfalls in this area. Nevertheless, the collaboration of the Department on Correctional Labor Facilities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with Bosfor in preparing the seminar, as well as the news about the government's intent to reform its penitentiary system, represent modest, but positive steps by the government to address this issue. END COMMENT. MILES