Tajikistan:
They Will Not Help,
but Finish Off by Blaming
They Will Not Help,
but Finish Off by Blaming
«I hit her hard in the stomach»
“
«She was standing on the road. She asked, «Taxi?» I said, «Taxi». I asked, «Where are you going?» She answered, «Alhitoy». I took and drove her.
I hit her hard in the stomach, once and twice. When I grabbed her neck, she screamed, «My stomach!» and fell in the back seat of the car. I thought that someone would hear her screams, got into the car and drove off.»
From the testimony of Sadullo Raupov, a suspect in the murder of two women in the Kharangon gorge in Varzob district of Tajikistan.
I hit her hard in the stomach, once and twice. When I grabbed her neck, she screamed, «My stomach!» and fell in the back seat of the car. I thought that someone would hear her screams, got into the car and drove off.»
From the testimony of Sadullo Raupov, a suspect in the murder of two women in the Kharangon gorge in Varzob district of Tajikistan.
The program «News of the Ministry of Internal Affairs» reported this case on the evening of September 23, 2020. It caused a furious reaction in the Tajik society.
«In January 2018, Doniyor Safarov and Sadullo Raupov brutally beat Zamiramoh Khaydarova, put her in the trunk of their car and drove to the hills of Kharangon village in Varzob district to conceal the crime. Taking advantage of the darkness and the absence of people, as well as Khaydarova's unconsciousness, the suspects tortured and raped her, and then killed her with extreme cruelty by choking. Then, in order to hide the traces of the crime, they hid the victim's body at a depth of about 50 meters,» the police statement said.
The Prosecutor's Office of Sino district of Dushanbe opened a criminal case against Raupov and Safarov under Article 104, Part 2 «Murder» of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan.
How is harassment in public spaces punished in Tajikistan?
Starting from 2018, Tajik residents began speaking openly about sexual and physical harassment of women and girls by men.
For example, in July 2018, 23-year-old graduate of the Tajik Medical University Sabina Safoeva posted her protest on Facebook stating that she would no longer tolerate sexual and physical harassment from men. This post caused a heated discussion in the Tajik segment of Facebook and gathered 800 likes, 200 shares and hundreds of comments in a short time. Many women and girls commenting Sabina's post described incidents of sexual and physical abuse.
After some time, the activists addressed the Dushanbe city authorities with a request to protect them from harassment. In September 2018, the Head of the City Administration Rustam Emomali instructed to create a working group under the city's Department of Internal Affairs, which should consider every complaint or address from women related to cases of indecent behaviour of men towards them.
In 2019, during a conference on violence against women, it was announced that 2,700 recording devices were installed to monitor the behaviour of men on the streets of the capital. In the same year, it was proposed to include the punishment for such actions into the Criminal Code of Tajikistan, which is currently under consideration.
Almost daily, the official website of the Dushanbe Department of Internal Affairs publishes photographs and videos showing the process of correctional labour by persons who have committed sexual and physical harassment of girls and women on the streets of the capital.
For example, in July 2018, 23-year-old graduate of the Tajik Medical University Sabina Safoeva posted her protest on Facebook stating that she would no longer tolerate sexual and physical harassment from men. This post caused a heated discussion in the Tajik segment of Facebook and gathered 800 likes, 200 shares and hundreds of comments in a short time. Many women and girls commenting Sabina's post described incidents of sexual and physical abuse.
After some time, the activists addressed the Dushanbe city authorities with a request to protect them from harassment. In September 2018, the Head of the City Administration Rustam Emomali instructed to create a working group under the city's Department of Internal Affairs, which should consider every complaint or address from women related to cases of indecent behaviour of men towards them.
In 2019, during a conference on violence against women, it was announced that 2,700 recording devices were installed to monitor the behaviour of men on the streets of the capital. In the same year, it was proposed to include the punishment for such actions into the Criminal Code of Tajikistan, which is currently under consideration.
Almost daily, the official website of the Dushanbe Department of Internal Affairs publishes photographs and videos showing the process of correctional labour by persons who have committed sexual and physical harassment of girls and women on the streets of the capital.
These publications reveal the cases of sexual harassment opened under the Articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan «Rape», «Coercion to actions of sexual nature» and «Petty hooliganism».
In 2018, it was proposed to introduce a separate Article on sexual and physical harassment to the Criminal Code. Representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office and the Supreme Court supported the proposal, but the plan is not yet developed and it is not clear what punishment will be determined for such actions.
Prosecutor General's Office representative Farrukh Raufov said that the number of cases of rape in the country decreased in recent years, but the number of «coercion to sexual actions» is alarming.
Sexual harassment victims prefer to keep silence in most cases due to fear and shame. Those who reported such cases, complain about the indifference of the law enforcement agencies to them.
In 2018, it was proposed to introduce a separate Article on sexual and physical harassment to the Criminal Code. Representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office and the Supreme Court supported the proposal, but the plan is not yet developed and it is not clear what punishment will be determined for such actions.
Prosecutor General's Office representative Farrukh Raufov said that the number of cases of rape in the country decreased in recent years, but the number of «coercion to sexual actions» is alarming.
Sexual harassment victims prefer to keep silence in most cases due to fear and shame. Those who reported such cases, complain about the indifference of the law enforcement agencies to them.
I wanted to jump out of the car at the speed of 120 km/h
“
Dushanbe resident Madina (not her real name), 25, was sexually and physically harassed by taxi drivers several times.
«In the fall of 2017, at about 7 PM, my aunt's daughter, who lives near the Central Department Store, called me and asked me to come to her as quickly as possible. I live next to the Vatan movie theatre. I hurried to her. There are many fixed-route taxis driving on the routes #3 and #8, and they often pick up passengers from the Vatan movie theatre.
The driver showed me three fingers [implying the number of the route – Tr.], I raised my hand to stop his car. I knew that there were many traffic police posts on this route; so, most drivers do not demonstrate route number plates and gesture with their fingers showing route numbers.
There were three young men in the car, and it was clear that they knew each other. I gave the driver money for the ride, but he did not take it saying, «We do not need your money, girl. We will take you to a place where we can chill».
I got very scared at that moment. They blocked the car doors. Shaking from fear, I said in a trembling voice, «Dear brother, if you are not a taxi driver, why did you show number three?»
The driver replied, «You are not stupid, you knew which car you were getting into, you knew that we were not a taxi. Do not play hard-to-get».
After saying this, he increased the speed up to 100-120 km/h. He ignored my requests to stop the car, as well as the traffic police officer. However, in the center of the city, another traffic police officer was waiting for this car. He came out to the middle of the road and stopped the car. I jumped out and ran to the traffic police officer, saying that they wanted to take me to a bad place and refused a fee for the ride. The driver quickly approached the traffic police officer and told him, «Eh, brother, this is a prostitute. She got into our car herself and said that wherever we go, she would go there too» .
Thus, he humiliated my honour and dignity in front of a traffic police officer and accused me of prostitution. However, these words did not matter anymore, the important thing was that I got out of the car, which I was happy about. Seeing that they were busy with their argument, I quickly ran away and did not even think to remember the license plate number of the car, as I wanted to escape as soon as possible and forget about what happened. I did not tell anyone about this incident, except for a few friends, because I knew that no one would believe me, and maybe, would even blame me.
The second time, in the fall of 2018, a similar incident happened to me again. It was evening time; my friend and I left the party and headed home. The incident also took place on a central street. There were few cars, and I needed to get home quicker, because my mother was home alone. A taxi drove up, the driver showed me plate with number 8 on it, and I got in. The windows in the car were tinted, but I could not see that in the dark. Sitting in the car, I felt like I made a mistake again. Again, there were three men inside and again, the driver did not charge me for the ride. Everything was exactly as the first time. However, this time, the man in the back seat of the car reached out and tried to grab me. I was very scared and asked loudly, «What are you doing? Why are you touching me?» He replied that he was searching for something in the seat, and supposedly, I sat down on it.
Then, I said, «Stop the car, I will get out». The driver replied with a grin, «We will stop, but later».
The car drove at a speed of 100-120 km/h. I hated myself for making the same mistake again. I was afraid that if I did not return home, I would disgrace myself, my mother and all my relatives. Many of such bad thoughts were in my head. Then, I pulled myself together, and when the car drove by the city center at a speed of 120 km/h, I opened the door and wanted to jump out of the car, but at that moment, the driver stopped the car. Taking advantage of the situation, I got out and ran without turning back. When I got to a safe place, I called a registered taxi service and went home. This time, I did not tell anyone about the incident. I decided not to use the services of such fixed-route taxis anymore.
After the first incident, I did not hate myself, because I understood that it was not my fault and I got into the car out of ignorance. In the future, I must pay attention to the car I get in. However, after the second incident, I hated myself for knowing everything and making the same mistake.
More than two years have passed after the incidents I experienced. I did not address the law enforcement agencies. I know that I have no evidence in my favour; I do not even know the license plates numbers. Moreover, I do not believe that the authorities, having the facts confirming my innocence, will arrest and punish the criminals,» the girl says.
«In the fall of 2017, at about 7 PM, my aunt's daughter, who lives near the Central Department Store, called me and asked me to come to her as quickly as possible. I live next to the Vatan movie theatre. I hurried to her. There are many fixed-route taxis driving on the routes #3 and #8, and they often pick up passengers from the Vatan movie theatre.
The driver showed me three fingers [implying the number of the route – Tr.], I raised my hand to stop his car. I knew that there were many traffic police posts on this route; so, most drivers do not demonstrate route number plates and gesture with their fingers showing route numbers.
There were three young men in the car, and it was clear that they knew each other. I gave the driver money for the ride, but he did not take it saying, «We do not need your money, girl. We will take you to a place where we can chill».
I got very scared at that moment. They blocked the car doors. Shaking from fear, I said in a trembling voice, «Dear brother, if you are not a taxi driver, why did you show number three?»
The driver replied, «You are not stupid, you knew which car you were getting into, you knew that we were not a taxi. Do not play hard-to-get».
After saying this, he increased the speed up to 100-120 km/h. He ignored my requests to stop the car, as well as the traffic police officer. However, in the center of the city, another traffic police officer was waiting for this car. He came out to the middle of the road and stopped the car. I jumped out and ran to the traffic police officer, saying that they wanted to take me to a bad place and refused a fee for the ride. The driver quickly approached the traffic police officer and told him, «Eh, brother, this is a prostitute. She got into our car herself and said that wherever we go, she would go there too» .
Thus, he humiliated my honour and dignity in front of a traffic police officer and accused me of prostitution. However, these words did not matter anymore, the important thing was that I got out of the car, which I was happy about. Seeing that they were busy with their argument, I quickly ran away and did not even think to remember the license plate number of the car, as I wanted to escape as soon as possible and forget about what happened. I did not tell anyone about this incident, except for a few friends, because I knew that no one would believe me, and maybe, would even blame me.
The second time, in the fall of 2018, a similar incident happened to me again. It was evening time; my friend and I left the party and headed home. The incident also took place on a central street. There were few cars, and I needed to get home quicker, because my mother was home alone. A taxi drove up, the driver showed me plate with number 8 on it, and I got in. The windows in the car were tinted, but I could not see that in the dark. Sitting in the car, I felt like I made a mistake again. Again, there were three men inside and again, the driver did not charge me for the ride. Everything was exactly as the first time. However, this time, the man in the back seat of the car reached out and tried to grab me. I was very scared and asked loudly, «What are you doing? Why are you touching me?» He replied that he was searching for something in the seat, and supposedly, I sat down on it.
Then, I said, «Stop the car, I will get out». The driver replied with a grin, «We will stop, but later».
The car drove at a speed of 100-120 km/h. I hated myself for making the same mistake again. I was afraid that if I did not return home, I would disgrace myself, my mother and all my relatives. Many of such bad thoughts were in my head. Then, I pulled myself together, and when the car drove by the city center at a speed of 120 km/h, I opened the door and wanted to jump out of the car, but at that moment, the driver stopped the car. Taking advantage of the situation, I got out and ran without turning back. When I got to a safe place, I called a registered taxi service and went home. This time, I did not tell anyone about the incident. I decided not to use the services of such fixed-route taxis anymore.
After the first incident, I did not hate myself, because I understood that it was not my fault and I got into the car out of ignorance. In the future, I must pay attention to the car I get in. However, after the second incident, I hated myself for knowing everything and making the same mistake.
More than two years have passed after the incidents I experienced. I did not address the law enforcement agencies. I know that I have no evidence in my favour; I do not even know the license plates numbers. Moreover, I do not believe that the authorities, having the facts confirming my innocence, will arrest and punish the criminals,» the girl says.
Madina believes that in order to prevent such incidents, it is necessary not only to introduce separate Articles into the relevant Code, but also to conduct training for taxi drivers so that they realize that their illegal actions humiliate the honour and dignity of Tajik girls.
In turn, she advised the girls not to get into cars alone in the evening, memorize or write down the license plate numbers of the car before getting into it and send them to trusted person.
«If you got in a taxi, call someone you trust and tell the information about a taxi. The drivers are afraid of this. If you realize that the driver is taking you to a different destination, try to get out of the car (even when the car is moving). In this case, the driver, realizing that cameras are recording the road, will stop the car out of fear,» the girl added.
Currently, dozens of victims are posting stories about sexual and physical harassment on social media. Since this year a group tellme_sister functions on Instagram, which brings together victims of sexual and physical harassment, and already published dozens of stories about such girls and women.
In turn, she advised the girls not to get into cars alone in the evening, memorize or write down the license plate numbers of the car before getting into it and send them to trusted person.
«If you got in a taxi, call someone you trust and tell the information about a taxi. The drivers are afraid of this. If you realize that the driver is taking you to a different destination, try to get out of the car (even when the car is moving). In this case, the driver, realizing that cameras are recording the road, will stop the car out of fear,» the girl added.
Currently, dozens of victims are posting stories about sexual and physical harassment on social media. Since this year a group tellme_sister functions on Instagram, which brings together victims of sexual and physical harassment, and already published dozens of stories about such girls and women.
How to solve the problem of harassment in taxis?
Sociologist Zulaykho Usmonova explained that the main reasons for sexual and physical harassment of women by men are a lack of understanding of the existing problem by society, insufficient education, especially sexual and gender, and lack of behavioural culture.
According to her, today, there are no official statistics on sexual violence, so it is difficult to imagine the situation in general. She notes that to solve the problem, it is necessary to include relevant articles on sexual and physical harassment into the legislation, and the subject «Sex education» into the curricula of secondary schools and universities.
According to her, today, there are no official statistics on sexual violence, so it is difficult to imagine the situation in general. She notes that to solve the problem, it is necessary to include relevant articles on sexual and physical harassment into the legislation, and the subject «Sex education» into the curricula of secondary schools and universities.
Zulaykho Usmonova
Personal photo
«It is necessary to instill that violence is evil, people must understand that for committing sexual and physical violence they can be held liable and punished accordingly,» the sociologist added.
She believes that drivers' training and prohibiting physical contact between driver and passengers can also help to prevent sexual and physical harassment.
Journalist Nisso Rasulova monitors this issue for several years and conducted research on it. She noted:
Journalist Nisso Rasulova monitors this issue for several years and conducted research on it. She noted:
Nisso Rasulova
Personal photo
«Taxis, in addition to elevators, parking lots, laundries, parks and entrances of the buildings, are the places where women are afraid to be. I am glad that now, everything is technological, although in large cities only: there are applications and GPS, which allow tracing the driver's route. However, sometimes this does not stop the unrestrained men. Such incidents can be prevented only by real punishment and liability for certain act. If a woman was subjected to harassment in a taxi, she should know that if she tells about it, she will receive help, and not be finished off by blaming. Unfortunately, we are still far from that. In our country, victim blaming is very popular, when responsibility is shifted to the victim. Supposedly, she went the wrong way, dressed the wrong way, laughed too loudly. This is just an excuse. No man should violate a woman's personal boundaries, even if she smells of alcohol and her stockings are visible. It is none of man's business,» the journalist says.
Military reporter Khurshed Nazarov says that in order to avoid sexual and physical harassment, women and girls have to use a registered taxi service, because when they order a taxi, the employees of the service company know which taxi is going where, and in case of problems, the order can be presented as an evidence.
He also noted that paying attention to the dashboard camera installed in a taxi, the taxi itself, remembering the license plate number and using mobile phones, if necessary, are also measures to ensure own safety when taking a taxi.
He also noted that paying attention to the dashboard camera installed in a taxi, the taxi itself, remembering the license plate number and using mobile phones, if necessary, are also measures to ensure own safety when taking a taxi.
Khurshed
Nazarov
Nazarov
Personal photo
«For example, taxis in the Russian Federation are equipped with dashboard cameras for safety of the drivers. They record everything that happens to the driver. If necessary, the driver presents the video as an evidence,» says Nazarov.
He notes that passengers of the official taxi services can contact the support and make a statement in case of a misunderstanding with the driver. Therefore, it is important to use a mobile phone to record the incident or try to attract the attention of people around with your loud voice.
«The companies providing taxi services should be concerned about the correct employment of drivers, that is, they should not only pay attention to his driving experience, but also know his biography. If the driver was convicted (for rape or similar crimes), he should not be hired,» Nazarov said.
He notes that passengers of the official taxi services can contact the support and make a statement in case of a misunderstanding with the driver. Therefore, it is important to use a mobile phone to record the incident or try to attract the attention of people around with your loud voice.
«The companies providing taxi services should be concerned about the correct employment of drivers, that is, they should not only pay attention to his driving experience, but also know his biography. If the driver was convicted (for rape or similar crimes), he should not be hired,» Nazarov said.
How do the taxi services ensure safety for the passengers?
Olucha Auto LLC, the founder of Olu4a Taxi in Tajikistan, responding to CABAR.asia questions said that in order to ensure the safety of their customers, they installed GPS devices on each car. This allows operators to track the location of each driver online. In addition, each driver of this company has corporate SIM card so that they can always stay in touch.
The company also noted that customers, if they wish, could order a taxi with options «Female driver» , «Silent driver» and «Taxi with a child seat».
They also stated that each driver could be punished with fines and termination of the contract for the violation of the road traffic regulations and inappropriate attitude towards the passengers.
The response also mentions that the company has an official Facebook page where customers can complain about poor service from the company's drivers, and the company will accept such complaints as an official statement. This statement will be provided for an investigation, first, within the company. If the fact of violation is confirmed, the penalties will be imposed on the driver.
According to the data provided by Olucha Auto, over the past 2-3 years, «there were almost no complaints from the company's clients about sexual and physical harassment of women and girls by the company's drivers, except of one or two cases of inappropriate behaviour by the drivers. The measures were taken against the drivers who committed these offenses in accordance with the internal procedures and codes».
At the same time, the company notes that daily, there is a certain number of misunderstandings between customers and drivers related to the untimely arrival of the vehicle, and numerous requests for the return of belongings left in the taxis.
The most taxi orders take place in the morning and evening hours, and complaints about the misconduct of drivers are received more often from women.
The company also noted that customers, if they wish, could order a taxi with options «Female driver» , «Silent driver» and «Taxi with a child seat».
They also stated that each driver could be punished with fines and termination of the contract for the violation of the road traffic regulations and inappropriate attitude towards the passengers.
The response also mentions that the company has an official Facebook page where customers can complain about poor service from the company's drivers, and the company will accept such complaints as an official statement. This statement will be provided for an investigation, first, within the company. If the fact of violation is confirmed, the penalties will be imposed on the driver.
According to the data provided by Olucha Auto, over the past 2-3 years, «there were almost no complaints from the company's clients about sexual and physical harassment of women and girls by the company's drivers, except of one or two cases of inappropriate behaviour by the drivers. The measures were taken against the drivers who committed these offenses in accordance with the internal procedures and codes».
At the same time, the company notes that daily, there is a certain number of misunderstandings between customers and drivers related to the untimely arrival of the vehicle, and numerous requests for the return of belongings left in the taxis.
The most taxi orders take place in the morning and evening hours, and complaints about the misconduct of drivers are received more often from women.
Takhmina Saminova, the General Director of the Sayokhon LLC – the founder of one of the country's transport companies, Rakhsh Taxi, responding to CABAR.asia request regarding measures taken by the company to ensure the safety of passengers, noted that they ensure the safety of their customers by a special vehicle equipped with a video surveillance camera. It monitors the daily activities of company's taxis on the route and ensures that the information center receives complaints and suggestions from passengers on the quality of service.
She also noted that according to the company's data, over the past 2-3 years, there were no complaints about sexual and physical harassment of women and girls by the Rakhsh Taxi drivers.
The management of this company did not reply to some of our other questions, stating that this was «commercially classified information». In particular, to our question about the options to be introduced in the future to ensure the passengers' safety, we received the answer that, «the best option already exists, namely, the acceptance of complaints via the information center».
She also noted that according to the company's data, over the past 2-3 years, there were no complaints about sexual and physical harassment of women and girls by the Rakhsh Taxi drivers.
The management of this company did not reply to some of our other questions, stating that this was «commercially classified information». In particular, to our question about the options to be introduced in the future to ensure the passengers' safety, we received the answer that, «the best option already exists, namely, the acceptance of complaints via the information center».
Simply, the law enforcement has to work
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, during 2019 and nine months of 2020, 174 criminal cases were initiated against men for physical violence against women and girls in public places under Article 237 «Hooliganism».
«In 2019, 46 criminal cases were opened under Article 138 «Rape», 43 cases – under Article 139 «Actions of sexual nature» , 9 cases – under Article 140 «Coercion to actions of sexual nature», 9 cases – under Article 141 Part 2, subparagraph «a» «Rape», 3 cases – under Article 142, Part 2, subparagraph «a». During 9 months of 2020, a total of 74 cases were opened under these Articles,» the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated in its response to our request.
Navruz Odinaev, the lawyer and Head of the Himoya legal company, underscored that the law already contains Articles that provide for the punishment for harassment.
«In 2019, 46 criminal cases were opened under Article 138 «Rape», 43 cases – under Article 139 «Actions of sexual nature» , 9 cases – under Article 140 «Coercion to actions of sexual nature», 9 cases – under Article 141 Part 2, subparagraph «a» «Rape», 3 cases – under Article 142, Part 2, subparagraph «a». During 9 months of 2020, a total of 74 cases were opened under these Articles,» the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated in its response to our request.
Navruz Odinaev, the lawyer and Head of the Himoya legal company, underscored that the law already contains Articles that provide for the punishment for harassment.
Navruz Odinaev
Personal photo
«First, it is necessary to determine the severity of each case. Let us consider them separately,» the lawyer notes.
The first case is harassment expressed in obscene language in public places without aggressive attacks and threats. For example, when a man says to a girl on the street, «Hey, girl, I want to...», «Hey, girl, I want you to...», «Oh, what a girl, come with me» and others phrases. Such harassment have signs of an offense from the Article 460 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Tajikistan "Petty hooliganism".
According to Navruz Odinaev, persons accused of an offense under this Article are punished with a fine in the amount of seven to ten indicators for calculations: from $30 to $45 (one indicator is 55 somoni - Ed.), or administrative arrest for a period of five to fifteen days.
«Let us consider another case,» the lawyer continues. «Harassment is expressed in a gross violation of public order with threats of violence. For example, a young man insults a girl loudly and in front of others, and threatens that he would kidnap and/or rape her, or commits harassment of a sexual nature. These actions have properties of a crime under Article 237 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan «Hooliganism, that is, the gross violation of public order, expressing disrespect for society, accompanied by violence to citizens or the threat of using it». This violation is punishable by a fine in the amount of five hundred to one thousand indicators for calculations (from $2207.49 to $4414.98), or imprisonment for up to two years,» notes Navruz Odinaev.
The first case is harassment expressed in obscene language in public places without aggressive attacks and threats. For example, when a man says to a girl on the street, «Hey, girl, I want to...», «Hey, girl, I want you to...», «Oh, what a girl, come with me» and others phrases. Such harassment have signs of an offense from the Article 460 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Tajikistan "Petty hooliganism".
According to Navruz Odinaev, persons accused of an offense under this Article are punished with a fine in the amount of seven to ten indicators for calculations: from $30 to $45 (one indicator is 55 somoni - Ed.), or administrative arrest for a period of five to fifteen days.
«Let us consider another case,» the lawyer continues. «Harassment is expressed in a gross violation of public order with threats of violence. For example, a young man insults a girl loudly and in front of others, and threatens that he would kidnap and/or rape her, or commits harassment of a sexual nature. These actions have properties of a crime under Article 237 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan «Hooliganism, that is, the gross violation of public order, expressing disrespect for society, accompanied by violence to citizens or the threat of using it». This violation is punishable by a fine in the amount of five hundred to one thousand indicators for calculations (from $2207.49 to $4414.98), or imprisonment for up to two years,» notes Navruz Odinaev.
Also, according to him, harassment of a sexual nature (showing genitals, touching, etc.) of persons under 16 has properties of a crime under Article 142 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan «Committing debauched actions, violence in relation to an individual under 16 years of age».
Such offenses are punishable by restriction of liberty for up to two years or imprisonment for the same term. The same actions in relation to a person under 14 are punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 5 years.
«As we can see, the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan contains norms that can be applied to persons who behave in a «hooligan manner» towards girls and women. Another issue is that the mechanisms for applying these norms are not properly developed,» the lawyer believes. «In order to bring these abusers to justice, it is necessary, first, to receive statements from the victims or their legal representatives, and then, to prove the fact of harassment, which can be difficult if the girl was alone and there were no witnesses, or these actions were not committed on video cameras».
Such offenses are punishable by restriction of liberty for up to two years or imprisonment for the same term. The same actions in relation to a person under 14 are punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 5 years.
«As we can see, the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan contains norms that can be applied to persons who behave in a «hooligan manner» towards girls and women. Another issue is that the mechanisms for applying these norms are not properly developed,» the lawyer believes. «In order to bring these abusers to justice, it is necessary, first, to receive statements from the victims or their legal representatives, and then, to prove the fact of harassment, which can be difficult if the girl was alone and there were no witnesses, or these actions were not committed on video cameras».
According to the lawyer, the mechanism for applying these norms, as well as the protection of girls and women, depends on the law enforcement.
If the law enforcement officers responded quickly, even after the verbal statement from girls and women, and took the abuser to the police station for a complete clarification of the circumstances, these actions, even if they do not lead to the application of sanctions, would contribute to the fact that young people behaving inappropriately are afraid to repeat the same actions.
If the law enforcement officers responded quickly, even after the verbal statement from girls and women, and took the abuser to the police station for a complete clarification of the circumstances, these actions, even if they do not lead to the application of sanctions, would contribute to the fact that young people behaving inappropriately are afraid to repeat the same actions.
Our team:
Authors:
Zulfiya Raisova,
Nazigul Zhusupova,
Mazhab Jum'a,
Irina Matvienko
Nazigul Zhusupova,
Mazhab Jum'a,
Irina Matvienko
Editor:
Natalia Lee
Idea:
Zulfiya Raisova,
Dastan Akkozha
Idea:
Zulfiya Raisova,
Dastan Akkozha
Collection of the stories:
Ismail Karypov,
Farangis Davronova,
Vera Sukhina,
Anastasia Cherepanova,
Dastan Akkozha,
Kirill Fleyman,
Moldir Alban
Farangis Davronova,
Vera Sukhina,
Anastasia Cherepanova,
Dastan Akkozha,
Kirill Fleyman,
Moldir Alban
Illustrations:
Nasiba Karimova
Layout and design:
Karina Tolmacheva
Layout and design:
Karina Tolmacheva
The longread was created as part of the Central Asia Taxi Safety Information Campaign
