In the afternoon, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon received a member of the International Commission against the Death Penalty Mrs. Ruth Dreifuss.

The issues of international cooperation of Tajikistan on the protection of human rights and prevention of sentencing and implementation of death penalty have been reviewed at the meeting.

It was noted with satisfaction that the framework of sentencing and implementation of death penalty was restricted in Tajikistan in 1998 and 2003, and a death penalty moratorium has been declared since 2004. Thus, from 2004 to date death penalty has not been implemented in Tajikistan at all. A life imprisonment has been defined instead of death penalty since March 2005.

It was also informed that a working group is active since April 2010 in Tajikistan on the necessity of removal of death penalty from the domestic legislation.

The Tajik President Emomali Rahmon highlighted that Tajikistan will determine its final position on this issue on the basis of conclusions of this working group made with consideration of social opinion and world experience.

Mrs. Ruth Dreifuss stressed that “Tajikistan is on the right path regarding this issue” and expressed confidence that “the question of complete abolition of death penalty in this country will find its final solution in the nearest future”.

She also stated that “the Swiss Confederation and other partner countries and organizations will help Tajikistan in this cause”.