UN Special Rapporteur of Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, has once again called on the authorities of Tajikistan to release imprisoned Tajik journalists and bloggers.

Mary Lawlor posted on her social media account, formerly Twitter, that during a meeting with Tajikistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jonibek Hikmat, in New York on October 24, she reiterated her call for the Tajik authorities to release the convicted human rights defenders and journalists, including Daler Imomali, Abdullo Gurbati, and Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva.

Last year, in Tajikistan, eight journalists and bloggers were sentenced to various prison terms, ranging from 7 to 21 years. Four of them, Daler Imomali, Abdullo Gurbati, Abdusattor Pirmukhammadzoda, and Zavkibek Saidamini, were found guilty of collaborating with banned organizations. The journalists and their families have denied the allegations. Some of the convicted journalists claimed to have been subjected to torture in detention.

Tajikistan sentenced eight journalists and bloggers to various prison terms, ranging from 7 to 21 years. Four of them, Daler Imomali, Abdullo Gurbati, Abdusattor Pirmukhammadzoda, and Zavkibek Saidamini, were found guilty of collaborating with banned organizations.

Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva was arrested following the events of May 2022 in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) and was sentenced to 21 years in early December 2022. The Tajik authorities accused Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva of organizing mass disturbances in the Rushan district and the city of Khorog in May 2022. Supporters of Mamadshoeva consider the criminal case to be fabricated.

In September of this year, eight UN experts stated that they were awaiting a response from the Tajik authorities to a letter expressing concern about the fate of imprisoned journalists and civil activists. In their 20-page letter, they noted that the rights of detained journalists and activists were grossly violated from the time of their arrest to the trial.

In a letter signed, among others, by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, and the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, cases of torture and cruel treatment of detainees were cited. UN experts stated that the arbitrary arrests of some of the convicted individuals contradict the laws of Tajikistan and international law. They criticized the Tajik authorities for imprisoning detained journalists and bloggers on fabricated charges of extremism and collaboration with banned organizations. The actions of the Tajik authorities serve as a stern warning to other human rights defenders: criticism will be met with harsh punishment, as stated in the letter.

The Tajik government has faced criticism in recent years from the UN, Western countries, and international human rights organizations for regular human rights violations in the country.

Source : Radio Liberty

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UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, reported during his trip to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Tajikistan, he met with representatives of civil society and residents of the region. Varennes arrived in Tajikistan for a working visit on October 9 till October 20.

The UN Special Rapporteur told journalists that the residents of Gorno-Badakhshan informed him about violations of their rights in 2021-2022, particularly concerning the rights of detainees and cases of harsh treatment by law enforcement agencies. He stated, “People are complaining about religious restrictions as well as limitations on the use of Pamiri languages,” during a press conference in Dushanbe on October 19.

UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, reported during his trip to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Tajikistan, he met with representatives of civil society and residents of the region. Residents shared with him the violations of their rights in 2021-2022, particularly concerning the rights of detainees and cases of harsh treatment by law enforcement agencies.

According to Varennes, representatives of ethnic minorities in Tajikistan have complained that they do not have their own deputies in the Tajik parliament. However, he did not disclose the details of his meetings.

Meanwhile, the UN website reported on October 19 that Fernand de Varennes, in his statement following an 11-day visit to Tajikistan, expressed particular concern about the fate of ethnic minorities, including the Jughi, religious minorities, and the Pamiri community in GBAO “on several fronts, including their representation in the national parliament, access to education in their native language, and freedom of religion “.

The UN Special Rapporteur strongly recommended that the Tajikistan authorities continue their efforts to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urged a review of the legislation to include the Jughi minority in the National Action Plan. “Regarding the events that took place in GBAO since November 2021, the Special Rapporteur called on the authorities to conduct an impartial and transparent investigation in accordance with international standards and measures to prevent tension and violence escalation in the region,” as stated in the UN announcement. Fernand de Varennes emphasized that the Tajik authorities’ response to the complaints of the Pamiri people is an essential part of this de-escalation.

Varennes announced during a press conference in Dushanbe that the report following his working visit to Tajikistan will be published in March 2024. The final report will first be presented to the Tajikistan government and then to the UN Human Rights Council.

Earlier in April, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, visited Tajikistan. During a press conference at the end of her visit, she expressed concerns about the situation regarding freedom of conscience and religion and noted that the scope of the freedom of religion or belief in the country is alarmingly distant from international human rights standards. Nazila Ghanea stated that Tajikistan should leave behind its past, which was marked by civil war, and protect freedom of religion and belief.

The authorities of Tajikistan regularly face criticism from international human rights organizations and Western countries for human rights violations, including the rights of minorities and restrictions on religious freedom.

Source : Azatlyk Radiosy

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Berlin, Brussels (24/04 – 28.57)

Tajikistan authoritarian regime under President Emomali Rahmon is holding many Pamiris in their prisons in Dushanbe, for “political” crimes as cited by the regime, including the slightest opposition to Rahmon who has ruled Tajikistan since 1994. This Eid-ul Fitr sees many such prisoners lamenting their fate in the dreaded cells while the rest of the world celebrates the joyous moment with families and loved ones.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) opened a criminal case against Sino Vazirbekov, the brother of civil activist Ramzi Vazirbekov, who was sentenced to 13 years. The young man was accused of extremism after participating in an opposition rally in Berlin, Radio Ozodi reports.

Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon is holding many Pamiris in the prisons in Dushanbe, for “political” crimes as cited by the regime, including the slightest opposition to Rahmon who has ruled Tajikistan since 1994.

A law enforcement source in GBAO told Radio Ozodi on April 14 that Sino Vazirbekov’s case was being investigated by the local prosecutor’s office. 

“The reason for initiating a criminal case against Sino Vazirbekov was participation in the event of the banned National Alliance of Tajikistan, which was reported on social networks,” said the source, who preferred not to be named.

Sino Vazirbekov, in an interview with Radio Ozodi on April 17, confirmed that he was one of the participants in the opposition protest in Berlin , however, according to him, he is not a supporter of any political group.

On March 25, a group of Tajik opposition movement members in Berlin went on a protest against Rahmon’s alleged visit to European countries. The action took place in front of the German Bundestag. Participating in the peaceful and non-violent demonstration, there were about 30 members whom were in exile from different Tajikistan – GBAO groups.

A day earlier, the supporters of Tajik opposition had gathered in front of the Tajik Embassy in Berlin and the building of the German Foreign Ministry and demanded the release of Abdullo Shamsiddin, the son of Shamsiddin Saidov, one of the activists of the Islamic Renaissance Party banned in Tajikistan.

Responding to the Tajik government’s repressive policies, the representative of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Marius Fossum, proposed using international mechanisms of influence, including “targeted sanctions”, against the Tajik authorities, “which violate the principles of justice and the rule of law,” Radio Ozodi reports. Fossum tweeted on April 7 that Tajik officials were “mocking justice and the rule of law.” 

He made a statement after the media published details of the case of the detained Tajik freelance journalist Khurshed Fozilov, whom the authorities accuse of collaborating with organizations banned in the country. If the charges are proven in court, Fozilov faces imprisonment for a term of 5 to 8 years.

“Tajik authorities are persecuting independent journalist Khurshed Fozilov for his legitimate journalistic activities, and in this way they are “cleansing” the remnants of freedom of speech in the country,” said Fossum.

Fozilov was detained on March 6 by officers from the State Committee for National Security in the western city of Panjakent, according to news reports. Authorities charged Fozilov with participating in banned extremist groups, but have not disclosed any specific allegations against him, a person familiar with his case told the Committee to Protect Journalists on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.

The hunt for dissenters is not only carried domestically but also against those residing abroad through kidnapping. Tajik authorities, assisted by the Russian special services, abducted dozens of people from Russian territory in 2022. Tajikistan’s General Prosecutor’s Office revealed that 96 people were extradited into the country during the period.

Most of the abductees were native residents of GBAO who took part in protests against the authoritarian Tajik government’s policies in Gorno-Badakhshan. They are convicted under Article 370 of Tajik Criminal Code on extremism using the internet. 

Political activists also face deportations from other countries for expressing discontent toward the authoritarian regime. Shamsiddin, for example was deported to Tajikistan by Germany in January before undergoing forced disappearance only to be sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of sedition.

Shamsiddin’s supporters have said his apparent crime was to “like” a post on social media. It is unclear what the content of the post was.

Shamsiddin, 32, is the son of Shamsiddin Saidov, a leading figure within the Islamic Renaissance Party in Tajikistan, which was the only significant opposition force within the country until it was outlawed in 2015. 

Shamsiddin has lived in Germany since 2009, but ran into trouble, according to a report by RFE/RL’s Tajik service, when he failed to register with the German migration service. Shamsiddin was also reportedly denied asylum on three occasions.

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New York, Brussels, Paris (15/2 – 67)

Led by authoritarian head of state since the 1990s, a regime change for the people in Tajikistan might take a while.

In any case, changes and growth often take too long. Especially when we are talking about the change of a commanding ruling power in the country. History recorded that power shifts happened due to factors not necessarily through any kind of violent revolution. One key factor that influences such power shifts is the role of the army in the country.

Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon seems unshakeable in his presidential seat, at least till the year 2027. Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tajikistan was unable to improve its status as Central Asia poorest country since the dissolution of Soviet Union. The country’s Gross Domestic product (GDP) and its military strength remain the lowest amongst its neighbors. Additionally, the human rights issues and civil liberties index for Tajikistan kept deteriorating since 2013.

Tajikistan has been dominated politically since 1992 by President Rahmon and his supporters. The government has historically obstructed political pluralism eventhough the constitution provides for a multiparty political system. In a 2016 national referendum, constitutional amendments approved and outlawed religious-affiliated political parties and also abolished presidential term limits for the “leader of the nation”, a title that has only been held by the incumbent. Thus, allowing President Rahmon to further solidify his rule. Following his father’s footsteps, it seems that next in line is Rahmon’s 34-year-old son, Rustam Emomali. Rustam is the oldest of nine offspring and the presumed successor to the presidency.

“Since 1992, Tajikistan has been dominated politically by President Emomali Rahmon. In a 2016 national referendum, constitutional amendments approved and outlawed religious-affiliated political parties and abolished presidential term limits for the “leader of the nation”, a title that has only been held by the President Rahmon.”

Human Rights Watch reported that “Tajikistan’s human rights record continues to deteriorate amid an ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression and the political opposition, as well as the targeting of independent lawyers, journalists, and even the family members of opposition activists abroad.”

Under President Rahmon’s ruling, the Pamiris are experiencing decades of repression in their homeland in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). The Dushanbe government insistently accuses the Pamiris to be involved in acts of extremism and separatism against the government. There was a constant onslaught of assaults and human rights violations on the Pamiris, including persecutions, detention, convictions, torture and sadly for some, reports of murder.

It is indeed unfortunate and somewhat fatal for Tajikistan and its people how President Rahmon’s regime act towards the voice of improvement.  

Mary Lawlor, United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders, cited that there is limited understanding of the concept of human rights defenders in Tajikistan. She reported and objected that Tajikistan authorities are labelling human rights defenders as extremists, terrorists and/or foreign agents.

“I also heard with sadness that being considered a human rights defender often carries a negative connotation, and some members of civil society even avoid being referred to as defenders,” Lawlor said in December 2022 after she visited the country.

Urgent Structural Reform  

How Dushanbe regime responded to its protracted internal conflicts is in reverse to what the world sees its neighbor, Kazakhstan. After Kazakh’s nationwide unrest in January 2022, President Kassym–Jomart Tokayev immediately vows for structural reform. Aiming for ‘New Kazakhstan’, President Tokayev not only progressively and consistently move towards implementing economic reforms, but also made changes in bureaucratic policies and politics. He stripped the old authorities in his government of political privileges, including his predecessor former president Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The Kazakh president announced that, “The era of oligarchic capitalism in Kazakhstan is ending as the country is entering an era of greater social responsibility to its citizens. Our citizens need an efficient and socially responsible business that occupies a leading position in the country’s economy.”

President Tokayev is fully aware that Kazakhstan has everything to lose if the country fails to stay relevant as Central Asia’s richest. Thus, he implemented such urgent, open and transparent reforms to maintain his country’s reputation. This mindset rewarded Tokayev his second presidential term in a snap election in November 2022.

President Rahmon on the other hand, chose to remain the same after decades of decadences. As BTI Transformation Index writes on its Tajikistan 2022 report, “Tajikistan is a consolidated authoritarian state which enjoys a complete monopoly on the use of force over its entire territory.”

While his neighbors were busy tasking and developing their countries, Rahmon however believes that progress can be achieved by demanding it instead of earning it through collaboration and cooperation. His viral reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 14 at a summit of leaders from the former Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, somewhat showed his leadership style.

A video of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon complaining to Russian President Vladimir Putin about his lack of respect for the countries of Central Asia that were once part of the Soviet Union has struck a nerve on social media, where it has been viewed millions of times. Rahmon, then addressing Putin directly, said that Tajikistan and other countries in the vast region have been treated like outsiders and indicates that the region deserves more investment from Moscow. Putin appears uncomfortable in the seven-minute video posted on YouTube, where it has been viewed around 4 million times. The video also also shows the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan looking on silently.

Temur Umarov of Carnegie Politika interpreted Rahmon’s actions as the Tajikistan wanting to emphasize its loyalty towards Russia but now they are ‘isolated’ because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Umarov wrote on Twitter, “Rahmon wants to play his card right. At this point, he invested a lot to keep [Russian] influence high in [Tajikistan] and did much less than other [Central Asian] states to diversify its ties [with] partners besides Russia. Now, Rahmon wants to be rewarded.”

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New York, Brussels, Paris (24/1 – 86)

The increasing human rights violations committed by Tajikistan state security officials are a cause for alarm. United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor told Tajikistan to protect its human rights defenders and stop their persecutions from state security agencies.

The special rapporteur visited Tajikistan from November 28 to December 9 and met various representatives from the Tajik government and state institutions as well as numerous human rights defenders, including members of NGOs, human rights lawyers, journalists and bloggers and members of grassroots movements.

During her visit, Lawlor visited Khujand, the provincial capital city of Sughd province, Tajikistan’s northern most province, to meet the local human rights defenders as well as representatives of the regional Ombudsman.

Lawlor said from her various discussions during the mission, there was a limited understanding of the concept of human rights defenders in Tajikistan.

“I also heard with sadness that being considered a human rights defender often carries a negative connotation, and some members of civil society even avoid being referred to as defenders,” she said in her end-of-mission statement.

She also discussed with the Ombudsman on the adoption of a specific Law on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders which she believes would greatly contribute to raising awareness about those who carry out legitimate and peaceful human rights work.

“[It] would significantly contribute not only to their protection, but also their acceptance and recognition within society,” she said

The special rapporteur said that she was aware that the difficult geopolitical and economic situation faced by Tajikistan. Pressures coming from the situation in Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine and tensions with Kyrgyzstan all contribute to a delicate geopolitical and security situation which leaves its mark on government policies and actions, she added.

She, however, lamented the fact that human rights defenders have in some cases been labelled as extremists, terrorists and/or foreign agents as a consequence of the harsh regional dynamics.

“The law on preventing extremism, the law on combatting terrorism, and article 307 of the Criminal Code are three pieces of legislation used to criminalize and arrest human rights defenders,” she said.

Lawlor appreciated the establishment of a National Action Plan on Human Rights for the implementation of recommendations from United Nations human rights mechanisms despite its slow implementation process and pointed out to “the lack of genuine, meaningful consultation with and full involvement of members of civil society”.

Another positive development was the adoption of the Anti-Discrimination Law (Law on Equality and Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination) in July 2022, which she termed as “a significant step into the right direction”.

Despite such positive recent developments, Lawlor highlighted the ambivalent cooperation between the Tajik government and the NGOs.

While appreciating NGOs’ involvement in working groups drafting new legislation and policies, at the same time there were “many of the same human rights defenders and NGOs reported feeling not consulted, under significant pressure and operating in an increasingly tightening and unpredictable environment.”

“Some defenders have even been reluctant to meet with me in person, for fear of possible reprisals in the future,” Lawlor revealed.

She also received reports that human rights defenders being subjected to excessive number of inspections and informal questioning. While the Tax Committee can carry out inspections every two years and the Ministry of Justice every three years, the State Security Committee may carry out inspections anytime.

“Human rights defenders and their NGOs are facing significantly increased administrative burdens, which may have a crippling effect especially on small, under-resourced and grassroots organizations,” she said in the statement.

As human rights defenders face increasing persecutions abroad, they might be forced to seek refuge abroad, requiring visa from embassies operating in Dushanbe. However, these embassies, including those of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and United States, have failed in providing such assistance and engagement as required by their own guidelines.

“Many defenders complained of a lack of meaningful engagement from embassies and international agencies. They told me they feel abandoned and have to rely on each other for support. One said they felt left alone with their problems,” Lawlor lamented.

The special rapporteur called on the Embassies, the EU Delegation and international organizations including the UN and OSCE, should further demonstrate solidarity and build trust with human rights defenders.

This could be achieved by, among other things, by meeting them in private or public, inviting them to their events, visiting them in their offices, raising awareness about their role and observing trials.

“Building the necessary trust with defenders will not happen overnight, but embassies and international agencies should continuously strive for it,” she said.

Lawlor also pointed to the lack of independence for the judiciary, which is “crucially important for a democratic society and for the rule of law” despite being “formally prescribed in the Constitution and other relevant legal instruments”.

“This has a direct impact on the ability of human rights defenders to receive a fair trial and to adequately represent clients,” the special rapporteur emphasized.

She also pointed out to the significant decrease of Tajik lawyers since the adoption of the Law of Lawyers in 2015 and the that some lawyers have been charged under article 307 of the Criminal Code for extremism-related offences.

“Once criminally charged, lawyers are no longer able to practice as attorneys, even if the charges are subsequently dropped and the persons are acquitted,” she said.

“The lack of sufficient amount of lawyers, compounded by the pressures exerted on them, especially those who are taking up cases of human rights defenders or persons accused of terrorism or extremism, in practice results in an environment where it is very difficult, and often impossible, to find attorneys ready to represent human rights defenders.”

Lawlor was also deeply troubled by apparent clampdown on dissenting voices, including those seen as not respectful, nor in accordance with the country values, traditions, and interests.

“My meetings during these past two weeks indicated that the crackdown on independent journalists working on human rights defenders started in 2016,” she deplored.

The special rapporteur revealed that within the past 6 months, some 20 journalists and bloggers have be reportedly arrested and detained.

Since 2015, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon has imposed a climate of terror that facilitates the harassment of journalists and encourages them to censor themselves, as reported by Reportes sans Frontier.

“Journalists are only able to express themselves freely on online platforms such as YouTube but do so at risk of being persecuted,” the report said.

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