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FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6578
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1347
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1381
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1385
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1317
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1258
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RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1148
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0922
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1402
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1437
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0724
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 7676

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000208 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, DRL, SA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK PRISON FACILITIES IN POOR CONDITION 
 
REF: DUSHANBE 058 
 
¶1.  (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).  The Ministry told EmbOffs it would consider allowing 
other international organizations to accompany officers on 
future visits. 
 
¶2.  (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. 
 
 
¶3.  (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. 
 
¶4.  (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. 
 
¶5.  (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. 
 
¶6.  (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