Awards were given out, but the imprisoned journalists were forgotten

The Media Council of Tajikistan organized a competition among journalists in honor of World Press Freedom Day.

On May 3, 2023, at the event, the main award – the “Trust” prize of the Media Council of Tajikistan – was presented to Saidekhson Soliev (Djaloliya) from Radio “Tajikistan”.

Last year, the “Trust” prize of the Media Council of Tajikistan was awarded to the convicted journalist and blogger Daler Imomali. However, after law enforcement agencies detained Daler Imomali and seven other well-known journalists and bloggers last summer, accusing them of various fabricated charges and sentencing them to long prison terms, neither the Media Council of Tajikistan nor other journalistic organizations were able to protect them from arbitrary detention and imprisonment.

This year, it was also announced that those wishing to participate in the competition, which is usually held on May 3 in honor of World Press Freedom Day, must submit their published materials. Meanwhile, the issue of convicted bloggers and journalists, whose number has reached 12, has become relevant again.

Some experts criticized the Media Council of Tajikistan for the fact that no one at the council’s event spoke in support of the 12 convicted journalists or demanded their release.

Currently, among those imprisoned are members of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan – journalists Makhmadali Khait, Rahmatullohi Rajab, Hikmatullo Saifullozoda, Abdukakhkhor Davlat, as well as journalists and bloggers Daler Imomali, Abdullo Gurbati, Abudusattor Pirmukhammadzoda, Zavkibek Saidamini, Khushruz Jumayev (Khushom Gulom), Ulfatkhanim Mamadshoeva, Muhammad Sultan Mavlonazarov (Muhammadi Sultan).

Considering that law enforcement agencies are pressuring and persecuting bloggers, journalists, and social media activists, civil society activists have repeatedly emphasized the need to think about arbitrary detentions and imprisonments of journalists before claiming these journalistic awards and prizes.

A month after Daler Imomali was awarded the “Trust” prize of the Media Council of Tajikistan, he was summoned for questioning and beaten. A law enforcement officer struck him with a fist and slapped him three times during the interrogation. After some time, he was detained again and sent to prison.

It is reported that the Media Council is an independent organization of journalists that works to protect the rights of journalists and monitor compliance with ethical standards in the media. The Media Council is considered the youngest journalistic organization in the country, established in 2010, but it is the largest: it includes six media organizations, 76 independent and state media outlets, as well as three journalism faculties from various universities in the country.