In December 2021, the deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, during the third session of the sixth convocation, adopted the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Amendments and Additions to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan 'On Public Holidays'," according to which April 20 was established as the Day of Justice Officials. In accordance with this law, the Day of Justice Officials is celebrated annually in the country on April 20.
It should be noted that before the adoption of the amendments to this law, the justice authorities did not have a fixed date for their professional holiday, which was previously observed on the second Sunday of October each year. The choice of April 20 is related to the adoption of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On the Justice Authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan," which was officially approved on April 20, 2021.
Justice authorities operate on the principles of the supremacy of the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Tajikistan, the priority of human rights and freedoms, equality of all before the law, humanism and social justice, transparency of service in justice bodies (except for activities involving state or other legally protected secrets), unity of the justice system, cooperation with law enforcement agencies and other state bodies, legal entities and civil society, protection of state and public interests, and political neutrality.
Practice has shown that managing the political, economic, social, and cultural life of society is only possible through the establishment of clear norms in these areas, the observance of which is mandatory for every individual. This system of norm creation became known as the legislative system. However, the establishment of norms is only part of the issue—their implementation requires constant monitoring and a high degree of responsibility. In the structure of state governance, the body that ensures the implementation of the legal policy of the state is known as the justice authority.
The justice authorities of Tajikistan have undergone a long path of development, playing a key role in restoring justice, ensuring the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens, and advancing legal awareness. They have established their place and role within the state administration system. The history of the establishment of modern justice authorities is also instructive and significant.
Justice authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan are at the forefront of protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens, ensuring legality and justice. They have made significant efforts to strengthen the legal foundations of state institutions, to develop a legal system in the country that aligns with international standards—a tradition that continues to this day and will continue into the future.
The work of justice authorities is by nature state activity and is carried out within the framework of their established authority. This activity significantly expanded during the years of independence of the Republic of Tajikistan and laid the foundation for the building of a democratic, lawful, and secular state.
One of the most important achievements in the field of legal regulation during the independence period was the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, which was approved by national referendum on November 6, 1994. It embodies progressive socio-political ideas, the principle of the separation of powers, full guarantees of human rights and freedoms, and political and ideological pluralism.
The adoption of the Constitution of an independent Tajikistan, which introduced fundamentally new concepts, values, and methods of governance and lawmaking, for the first time in the country's legal history, necessitated the adoption of a series of constitutional laws. The drafting and adoption of various codes—civil, labor, housing, criminal, tax, customs, and others—that form the legal framework of the relevant branches of law reflect modern legal ideas inspired by the progressive historical thought of humanity. The Ministry of Justice has played a direct and active role in the development and adoption of all these legal acts.
The unique feature of the Ministry of Justice lies in the fact that, alongside judicial bodies, it ensures the enforcement of justice, ensures that regulatory legal acts comply with current legislation, and thereby protects the rights and legitimate interests of individuals and citizens. At the same time, not only personal rights and interests are protected, but also public and state structures, all forms of property, political, economic, social, and cultural rights and freedoms, and the rights and interests of citizens, enterprises, institutions, and organizations of various forms of ownership.
It is worth emphasizing that legal advocacy, rulemaking, legal assistance to citizens, execution of criminal sentences, judicial and criminal expertise are not the limits of the Ministry of Justice’s activities. According to its Statute, approved by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on September 30, 2021, the Ministry also provides legal support to the rulemaking activities of the President and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, registers public associations and political parties, registers legally binding acts of ministries and agencies, and provides legal assistance to citizens and legal entities. Thus, the Ministry of Justice issues guidelines for improving the legislation of Tajikistan and provides practical assistance to state bodies in conducting legal education and awareness.
It was independence that opened a new chapter in the functioning of the justice system of the Republic of Tajikistan. During the independence period, the scope of powers and areas of responsibility of the Ministry of Justice expanded significantly. It became one of the key state institutions in strengthening legal reform and implementing the legal policy of the state. Today, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan is in a new and honorable stage of its development and, with its professional and moral potential, is well positioned to confidently advance the state’s legal policy aimed at building a democratic and lawful state where the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of every citizen are fully protected.
Department of Legal Assistance,
Public Relations and Media
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan
