Khalilova v. Tajikistan
Legal Relevance
Keywords: Right to Know the Truth | Interim/Urgent Measures | Refusal to Disclose Fate | Relatives as Victims
Themes: Justice and Truth
The Committee made a finding of inhuman treatment of the victim's mother due to the authorities’ initial failure to notify her of the victim's execution and because of the secrecy surrounding the date of execution and the place of burial, which had the effect of intimidating or punishing her by intentionally leaving her in a state of uncertainty and mental distress.
Judgment Date
March 30, 2005
Country
Tajikistan
Judicial Body
Human Rights Committee
Articles violated
Article 6(1) [ICCPR], Article 7 [ICCPR], Article 10(1) [ICCPR], Article 14(2) [ICCPR], Article 14(3)(g) [ICCPR], Article 14(5)[ICCPR]
Articles not violated / not dealt with
Article 6(4) [ICCPR]
Facts of the Case
Mr. Validzhon Alievich Khalilov, a member of a criminal gag, was arrested in January 2000 by the Tajik authorities. He was allegedly beaten by investigators to make him confess participation in a number of unresolved crimes. On an unspecified date, his father was taken from his workplace and brought to visit Mr. Khalilov at the District Police Department, where he noticed that his son had been beaten. In February 2000, Mr. Khalilov was shown on national television. He was found guilty of a number of crimes and sentenced to death in November 2000. Mr. Khalilov's mother had no information about where her son was being held, as the authorities consistently ignored her requests for information and systematically refused to reveal any detail about her son’s situation or whereabouts. In May 2001, the Special Rapporteur for New Communications requested the State party not to carry out the death sentence against Mr. Khalilov while his case was pending before the Committee. In 2005, Mr. Khalilov's mother received a letter from the Supreme Court stating that he was executed in July 2001.