Open letter from NATO to the guarantor countries and the UN

The National Alliance of Tajikistan (NAT), a coalition of Tajik opposition groups abroad, has issued an open letter to the UN and the guarantor states of the inter-Tajik peace agreement, calling for an end to the crimes of Emomali Rahmon.

Photo: Internet

Against the backdrop of reports of killings and mass detentions of citizens in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), NAT in its letter urged the United Nations and the guarantor states of the General Agreement on Establishing Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan—Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan—to take practical steps to prevent the continuation of this tragedy in Tajikistan, act in accordance with their commitments, and compel Emomali Rahmon to put an end to this genocide and crimes against humanity.

NAT emphasized that Emomali Rahmon has violated all commitments made under the peace agreement, physically eliminating not only the leaders and members of the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) but also his allies and associates from the People’s Front, who effectively brought him to power.

“Yes, all these terrible events occurred before your eyes – the guarantors, and unfortunately, you did not respond to them. On the contrary, at times you pressured the UTO to accept Emomali Rahmon’s conditions. Your position, especially that of influential countries like the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, gave Emomali Rahmon the confidence to do whatever he wanted. He was sure that no one would stop him from eliminating his opponents from the political arena of Tajikistan; on the contrary, that you agreed with all his actions,” NAT emphasized in its letter.

NAT stated that Emomali Rahmon organized a military attack on the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region to ensure the unhindered transfer of power in Tajikistan to one of his children, despite the fact that the residents of this region are the most law-abiding citizens of Tajikistan and strive to act in accordance with the Constitution of Tajikistan, and the culture of the rule of law runs in their blood.

“We strongly urge the guarantors not to limit themselves to mere ‘recommendations’ and ‘expressions of regret’ about what is happening in our beloved country of Tajikistan, but to take practical steps to prevent the continuation of this tragedy in Tajikistan,” the letter states.

The full text of the open letter from NAT:

“Dear!

As you know, in June 1997, with the mediation of the UN and the aforementioned states, the government of Tajikistan led by Emomali Rahmon and the United Tajik Opposition headed by the late Ustad Said Abdullo Nuri signed the General Agreement on Establishing Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan.

As guarantors of the implementation of this international document, you are well aware that to achieve peace and restore order in our beloved country, the UTO forced its armed forces to lay down their arms and obey the government and President Emomali Rahmon in everything. The UTO also accepted all the conditions of the government, including the presidency of Emomali Rahmon for a period of time, to create favorable conditions for holding free and transparent parliamentary and presidential elections under the supervision of the UTO, the guarantor states, and representatives of the people.

However, unfortunately, Emomali Rahmon not only failed to fulfill his obligations under the agreement but shortly thereafter began to physically eliminate the leaders and members of the UTO. He eliminated not only the opposition forces but also his allies and associates from the People’s Front, who effectively brought him to power. All of this is documented and has been covered in the media, so we have only mentioned the general points of these terrible events. We believe that you, as guarantors of the implementation of the General Agreement on Establishing Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan, are well aware of this.

Yes, all these terrible events occurred before your eyes – the guarantors, and unfortunately, you did not respond to them. On the contrary, at times you pressured the UTO to accept Emomali Rahmon’s conditions. Your position, especially that of influential countries like the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, gave Emomali Rahmon the confidence to do whatever he wanted. He was sure that no one would stop him from eliminating his opponents from the political arena of Tajikistan; on the contrary, they agreed with all his actions.

Finally, in 2011, Emomali Rahmon and several of his accomplices adopted secret protocol No. 32-20, which was later made public against Rahmon’s wishes. In this infamous document, Emomali Rahmon essentially outlined a plan for the complete elimination of opponents from the political arena of Tajikistan. Based on this document, the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), the main party of the UTO, was banned. At that time, the leaders and members of the IRPT were imprisoned without trial or investigation. It is astonishing that not only the leaders and activists of the IRPT were imprisoned but also their lawyers.

All these crimes were committed by Emomali Rahmon solely to maintain his power and to prepare one of his children for inheriting power in Tajikistan and ensuring the transfer of power. We reiterate, all these crimes were committed before your eyes — the guarantors of peace in Tajikistan; you knew about it and said nothing.

The last thing that Emomali Rahmon considered necessary to ensure the transfer of power in Tajikistan to one of his children and that hindered him from fulfilling his dreams was the unconditional submission of the people of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). Despite the fact that the residents of this region are the most law-abiding citizens of Tajikistan and strive to act in accordance with the Constitution of Tajikistan, and the culture of the rule of law runs in their blood, Rahmon organized a military attack on this region.

According to official reports, during the military operation conducted by President Emomali Rahmon last week in this safe and peaceful region, 21 people were killed and hundreds were injured. Reports indicate that the number of casualties is even higher. It is reported that the situation in the Rushan district of the Gorno-Badakhshan region worsened after a group of residents gathered on the central road to block the path of a military convoy heading from Dushanbe to Khorog.

On May 18, the authorities stated that they were conducting an ‘anti-terrorist operation’ there and accused the protesters of using weapons. According to reports, the protesters stated that they had no weapons and blocked the road to ensure the observance of their rights and prevent further clashes in Khorog. People said they were under ‘psychological pressure and faced great difficulties in finding their relatives.’ During the operation, dozens of people were detained, and their relatives know nothing about their further fate.

Due to the internet being disconnected in the region and the mobile network not working, citizens abroad cannot contact their relatives in the region.

It should be noted that in the fall of 2021, law enforcement agencies associated with Rahmon killed 3 residents of the region and injured 17 others.

The National Alliance of Tajikistan (NAT), as the successor to the UTO, calls on the guarantor states and in particular the UN (UN) to fulfill the conditions of the ‘General Agreement on Establishing Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan,’ act in accordance with their commitments, and compel Emomali Rahmon to put an end to this genocide and crimes against humanity.

We strongly urge the guarantors not to limit themselves to mere ‘recommendations’ and ‘expressions of regret’ about what is happening in our beloved country of Tajikistan, but to take practical steps to prevent the continuation of this tragedy in Tajikistan.

The National Alliance of Tajikistan

May 21, 2022