HRW calls on the UN to address the human rights situation in Tajikistan

The statement from Human Rights Watch (HRW) notes that after NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, international leaders seem to have forgotten the grim reality of human rights in Tajikistan, and no one mentions the brutal repression by Rahmon against dissidents and civil society activists.

Photo: Internet

Human Rights Watch urged UN member states to make it clear to the Tajik authorities that they do not believe the crisis in Afghanistan can be an excuse to ignore the horrific human rights violations in the country.

The statement emphasizes that “after the ban on the only remaining opposition party – the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) in 2015, the authorities of Tajikistan imprisoned hundreds of political activists, journalists, and human rights defenders. The authorities have brutally persecuted critics and dissidents, as well as their relatives both inside and outside the country, restricted freedom of expression, and silenced independent media.”

The statement also mentions regular reports of torture and ill-treatment in places of detention. Domestic violence remains a serious issue, as women and girls lack access to adequate protection and are deprived of justice.

“On November 4, Tajikistan will undergo its third Universal Periodic Review (UPR), during which UN member states will be able to analyze progress on human rights and issues of other governments and make recommendations. This is an opportunity for UN member states to make it clear to the Tajik authorities that they do not believe the crisis in Afghanistan can be an excuse to ignore the horrific human rights violations in the country,” the statement said.

Photo: Internet

In response to a question from AZDA TV about whether the UN Council could force Tajikistan to release political prisoners, Human Rights Watch researcher for Europe and Central Asia Synat Sultanalieva stated: “Unfortunately, we cannot be sure that the member states of the UN Human Rights Council will be able to convince Tajikistan to comply with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s decision for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners.”

“However, drawing the attention of the international community may increase pressure on Tajikistan. We have included in our report the names of all political prisoners that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called for their release, and we have raised this issue in bilateral meetings with member states of the UN Human Rights Council and asked them to mention this issue and the names of the prisoners during the meeting. We hope this will happen on November 4,” Sultanalieva added.