U.S. Senators appealed to Rahmon

Two U.S. senators have called on the authorities of Tajikistan to stop the persecution of journalists.

Photo: Internet

Senator Jim Risch, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, addressed a letter to Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, criticizing the arbitrary arrests of journalists and the harassment of Radio Ozodi staff.

The senators also expressed concern that some Radio Ozodi employees have been unable to obtain accreditation and perform their work for years.

“The recent intensification of the suppression of independent media and repression against journalists, particularly regarding the Tajik service of Radio Free Europe, raises deep concern,” the letter states.

According to the senators, “arbitrary arrests, politically motivated persecution, and brutal harassment of Radio Ozodi staff are unacceptable.” It was also noted that “such a situation could hinder the achievements our countries have made towards closer and more beneficial relations.”

“We call for the release of journalists detained without any grounds and the dropping of all charges against them, as well as ensuring access for these journalists to lawyers and the ability to communicate with their families,” the letter reads.

The American senators also reminded that in 2019 they had already appealed to the President of Tajikistan regarding accreditation for Radio Ozodi journalists. “We expect an immediate response,” they noted.

The authorities of Tajikistan have not yet commented on the letter from the U.S. senators.