You are not Forgotten.
Berlin, Brussels (18/5 – 40)
In the vast and remote mountain lands of Central Asia, the Ismaili Pamiris have long faced systemic discrimination and persecution at the hands of the Tajik government. Despite their proud history, rich cultural traditions, and highly educated populace, they have been targeted for cultural extermination in a chilling campaign of ethnic cleansing. Tajikistan President Imomali Rahmon has demonized them as “inbred” and “criminals” and launched a brutal program to replace their community with ethnic Tajiks. In May and June 2022, the government launched a final assault on the Pamiris to end their autonomy and bring them under the total control of the state. Heavily armed security forces rampaged into the town of Vamar, where protestors calling for respect for human rights had peacefully blocked the Pamiri Highway. There and in other towns of the Gorno-Badakhshan region (GBAO), protestors and passers-by were shot dead, maimed, and taken to prisons to be tortured and degraded.
Yodgor was a protestor who fled from the security forces along with five friends who hid in a house. There they were discovered by Tajik security forces, blasted with explosives, dragged out of the house, and four were executed with close shots to the head, and one taken prisoner.
Yodgor was from the village of Derzud in the Rushan region of GBAO. He was a former commander of a self-defense milita protecting Pamiris during the 1991-1997 civil war. According to his relatives, he led a quiet and peaceful life after the civil war. He turned his house into a place for congregational prayers for the followers of Ismailim. He has a great reputation in Rushan due to his work with the youths.
The security forces had identified him as the leader of an organized criminal group in Derzud village and published his name in the list of 10 wanted persons in connection with the events of May 16-18 in Rushon. According to reports, he was killed by the security forces.
