EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 60/02/94

Distr: UA/SC

18 February 1994

UA 63/94 Fear of extrajudicial execution / Fear of torture / "Disappearance"

TADZHIKISTANDetainees in unacknowledged detention in prison camps allegedly located at TURSUNZADE, SHAMBARY (Gissar district) and KALININABAD (Khatlon region)

Amnesty International is gravely concerned by allegations that paramilitary forces operating unofficial prison camps have begun systematically emptying the camps by executing detainees held in them. The detainees are allegedly people who have "disappeared" since late 1992. If the allegations are correct, Amnesty International fears for the safety of all these unacknowledged detainees who are at risk of torture and extrajudicial execution by paramilitary forces acting with impunity.

Amnesty International has received allegations of the existence of unofficial prison camps in at least three locations in central and southern Tadzhikistan. The camps are allegedly run by pro-government paramilitary forces, acting with the knowledge of the Government of Tadzhikistan. Camps are said to be located at or near Tursunzade (formerly Regar), west of Dushanbe, the capital; at Shambary in Gissar district, southwest of Dushanbe; and on the banks of the Vaksh river between Kalininabad and Kurgan-Tyube in Khatlon Region, southwest Tadzhikistan.

There are no reliable estimates of the number of people detained in these camps, but it is alleged that the detainees are people who "disappeared" since late 1992. Furthermore, it has been alleged that recently the paramilitary forces operating the camps have begun systematically emptying them by executing detainees. Amnesty International knows of two cases where people who "disappeared" are feared to have been killed after possibly being held in the Tursunzade camp: at the end of January 1994 the body of Mirzonazar Imomnazarov, who "disappeared" in December 1992 following arrest by pro-government paramilitary forces and was last seen being taken in the direction of Tursunzade, was found in Dushanbe. He had been killed recently, suggesting that he had been held alive in secret detention for over 13 months. In late 1993 the identity papers of Kurbonbek Nazarshoyev, who "disappeared" in March after being taken by paramilitary forces from outside his home in Dushanbe, were found in Tursunzade and returned to his family, who concluded that he was no longer alive.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Tadzhikistan's civil war, which began in May 1992, left at least 20,000 people dead and over 500,000 people displaced. Opposing forces were organized along regional and clan as well as political lines. Appalling human rights abuses are alleged to have been committed by all sides and at all periods of the conflict.

In the period immediately after the capital was retaken by pro-government forces in December 1992 hundreds of residents were extrajudicially executed or "disappeared". The victims were mainly from the Garm district and the Pamir region, which were identified with the opposition to the government.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express and airmail letters either in Russian, English or in your own language:

- calling on the Government of Tadzhikistan to make an immediate investigation into allegations that people who have "disappeared" are being held in unacknowledged detention in unofficial prison camps run by paramilitary forces at Tursunzade, Shambary, Kalininabad and possibly other locations;

- urging that, if these camps are proven to exist, immediate and effective steps are taken to place them under government control and make them accessible to international monitors, and to release all detainees unharmed;

- calling on the Government to investigate all allegations of extrajudicial executions and "disappearances";

- calling for the organizers of unofficial camps to be brought to justice in accordance with international standards.

APPEALS TO

1. The Chairman of the Supreme Council, Imamali Rakhmonov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Verkhovny Sovet Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Predsedatelyu Rakhmonovu I.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, Verkhovny Sovet, Predsedatelyu Rakhmonovu I.

Faxes: + 7 3772 22 69 71

Salutation: Dear Chairman

2. Minister of Internal Affairs, Yakub Salimov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

MVD Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Ministru Salimovu Ya.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, MVD, Ministru Salimovu Ya.

Salutation: Dear Minister

3. Chairman of the State Committee for National Security, Saydamir Zukhurov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Gos. komitet po natsionalnoy bezopasnosti

Predsedatelyu Zukhurovu

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, KNB, Predsedatelyu Zukhurovu S.

Salutation: Dear Chairman

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Olimov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

734051 Dushanbe

MID Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Ministru Olimovu R.

The Procurator General, Mamadnazar Salikhov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

prospekt Pravdy, 4

Prokuratura Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Generalnomu prokuroru Salikhovu M.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 1 April 1994.