Freedom Now calls on the UN to ensure the protection of prisoners’ rights

The human rights organization Freedom Now has called on the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UN WGAD) to pressure the government of Tajikistan to ensure the rights of political prisoners who are members of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) and their relatives are upheld, and to put an end to persecution and torture.

Photo: Internet

Freedom Now has reached out to the chair of the UN Human Rights Committee’s Working Group, Elina Steinert, requesting her attention to the situation of the torture of political prisoner and deputy leader of the IRPT, Mahmadali Hayit, as well as senior party members Zubaidullo Rozik and Rahmatullo Rajab.

The letter also states that the authorities of Tajikistan have not complied with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s decisions from April 17, 2018, and November 19, 2019, and notes: “We warn of violations of the rights of political prisoners, we are concerned about the actions of the Tajik government regarding Mahmadali Hayit, as well as the retaliation against Rahmatullo Rajab and Zubaidullo Rozik.

Since their detention on September 16, 2015, all three have been subjected to torture and repression by the authorities of Tajikistan. Deputy Chairman of the IRPT Mahmadali Hayit has repeatedly been tortured. In August 2016, his arms and legs were broken after he requested a pencil and paper to file a complaint against prison staff. In March 2019, Hayit informed his wife about injuries to his forehead and abdomen, which he claimed were inflicted by the current deputy head of the prison administration, Nuriddin Rahmonov, as punishment for refusing to record a video condemning Tajik opposition figures abroad. He also reported being denied medical assistance.”

It is reported that a complaint regarding these crimes and violations by the authorities of Tajikistan has been submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee and is under review.

The appeal emphasizes that the UN Human Rights Committee has taken Mahmadali Hayit’s case under special control. It also notes that on November 4, 2020, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, raised the issue of torture and cruel treatment of prisoners by law enforcement agencies in Tajikistan.

Previously, the UN recognized the detention of IRPT leaders and their imprisonment as illegal and demanded their immediate release.

The letter from Freedom Now states that the Tajik government is retaliating against Mahmadali Hayit and his relatives. “On November 24, 2021, Hayit had a scheduled meeting with close relatives, which is allowed once every six months for 30 minutes or an hour. This time, the prison administration denied him even a meeting through glass. The reason given was his refusal to go for a daily walk. We are deeply concerned about Hayit’s health, as he has previously been subjected to beatings and torture by prison guards,” the letter states.

Freedom Now also criticized the authorities’ retaliatory measures against Rajab and Zubaidullo Rozik, who were placed in a punishment cell after they wrote an open letter to President Rahmon, as well as the initiation of a criminal case against Nilufar Rajabova, the daughter of Rahmatullo Rajab.

According to UN General Assembly Resolution 72/247, if the authorities of a country subject individuals or relatives of individuals whose cases are under consideration by the UN to interrogations or persecution, these actions by the authorities are considered intimidation and retaliation. Meanwhile, the government of Tajikistan has refused to comply with the UN decision to release political prisoners and has not only failed to release them but also continuously violates the rights of these individuals and their relatives.

Freedom Now representative Karl Horberg told Azda TV that Freedom Now has sent a letter to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and several UN special rapporteurs regarding the dire situation of Mahmadali Hayit and his imprisoned colleagues.

Photo: Internet

“We are deeply concerned about the deterioration of their living conditions and that the Tajik authorities are retaliating against them for the open letter to the President of Tajikistan requesting a review of their sentences. We hope that in light of this situation, the UN will take immediate action and draw the attention of the international community to the plight of these prisoners,” said Karl Horberg.