The Law Society of Upper Canada is deeply concerned about the arrest and sentence of human rights lawyer Shukhrat Kudratov in Tajikistan.
Shukhrat Kudratov is a human rights lawyer who is well-known for defending opposition activists, victims of police torture and religious extremists. he is the deputy director of the opposition Social Democratic party.
Reports indicate that on 21 July 2014, Shukhrat Kudratov was arrested in his office and charged with three criminal offences, including attempted bribery of a judge. Groups have raised concern that Shukhrat Kudratov is being targeted as a result of his human rights work, which includes defending Zaid Saidov, an opposition activist, who was arrested in November 2013 after announcing the creation of a new opposition party. Shukhrat Kudratov’s arrest took place six days after he issued a public letter addressed foreign parliaments, governments, embassies and international human rights organizations drawing their attention to the human rights violations committed during Zaid Saidov’s trial and to the ongoing persecution of Zaid Saidov’s legal team.
On 13 January 2015, Shukhrat Kudratov was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony for bribery and fraud. He is also prohibited from performing any activities as a lawyer upon completion of his prison term. Reports indicate that Shukhrat Kudratov has announced that he will appeal the verdict. The Supreme Court of Tajikistan must decide on his appeal by 23 February 2015.
In concern over these reports, The Law Society of Upper Canada urges the Republic of Tajikistan to consider Articles 16 and 23 of the United Nations’ Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
The Law Society of Upper Canada is deeply concerned about the arrest and sentence of human rights lawyer Shukhrat Kudratov in Tajikistan.
Shukhrat Kudratov is a human rights lawyer who is well-known for defending opposition activists, victims of police torture and religious extremists. he is the deputy director of the opposition Social Democratic party.
Reports indicate that on 21 July 2014, Shukhrat Kudratov was arrested in his office and charged with three criminal offences, including attempted bribery of a judge. Groups have raised concern that Shukhrat Kudratov is being targeted as a result of his human rights work, which includes defending Zaid Saidov, an opposition activist, who was arrested in November 2013 after announcing the creation of a new opposition party. Shukhrat Kudratov’s arrest took place six days after he issued a public letter addressed foreign parliaments, governments, embassies and international human rights organizations drawing their attention to the human rights violations committed during Zaid Saidov’s trial and to the ongoing persecution of Zaid Saidov’s legal team.
On 13 January 2015, Shukhrat Kudratov was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony for bribery and fraud. He is also prohibited from performing any activities as a lawyer upon completion of his prison term. Reports indicate that Shukhrat Kudratov has announced that he will appeal the verdict. The Supreme Court of Tajikistan must decide on his appeal by 23 February 2015.
In concern over these reports, The Law Society of Upper Canada urges the Republic of Tajikistan to consider Articles 16 and 23 of the United Nations’ Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
