Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT864
2009-07-09 13:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: LOCAL NGO HOLDS SEMINAR ON PENITENTIARY
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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
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
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