You are not Forgotten.
Berlin, Brussels (14/5 – 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. Ismat Sharipov was one of the many innocent victims of the regime’s genocidal onslaught.
Ismat was from the village of Vamar in Rushan, Tajikistan. He worked as a stonemason and was known by many as a very hard worker.
He had participated in the public protests in Vamar on May 17-18, 2022. According to reports, Ismat was injured during the crackdown on protesters by the security forces. However, the security forces prohibited
the nurse from taking him to the hospital and instead they beat him to death. Ismat died from a massive loss of blood.
Ismat passed away at the age of 36 and was buried in the town cemetery, along with some of the other 21 Derzud victims of the Tajik security forces. He left behind a wife and three young children.
