The National Alliance of Tajikistan urged the authorities to stop the persecution of journalists

In connection with Tajik Press Day, the National Alliance of Tajikistan issued a resolute statement, addressing the government of the country with a demand to stop “hostility towards its people.”

This political coalition of Tajik opposition groups abroad noted violations of press freedom in the country on its Facebook page, calling the pressure on journalists a “crime of the government.”

The National Alliance of Tajikistan congratulated those writers and journalists who “remain true to their mission,” while condemning the closure of independent media, pressure on journalists, forcing them to leave the country, and their persecution by the authorities of Tajikistan. The statement noted that such actions are indicative of the state of press freedom and the intellectual sphere in the country.

Referring to the history of Tajik press, particularly the first Tajik newspaper in Bukhara, the NAT expressed regret over the current state of freedom of speech compared to more than a hundred years ago.

“If more than a hundred years ago the Tajik intelligentsia was able to present a newspaper as a candle of knowledge for the people, unfortunately today Tajik journalists and intelligentsia are burning like a candle in the prisons of the government of Emomali Rahmon, or they have been forced to leave their profession, country, and homeland,” the statement said.

In its statement, the NAT also mentioned imprisoned journalists such as Muhammadali Khait, Abdukakhkhori Davlat, Hikmatullo Saifullozoda, Abdullahi Gurbati, Daleri Emomali, Zavkibek Saidamini, and others, stating, “The government of Emomali Rahmon has sent them to prison for many years and even for life under fabricated charges, with the aim of silencing them,” the statement noted.

The Political Alliance of Tajikistan concluded that the persecution, pressure, and restrictions by the authorities are crimes against the people, and demanded that the government of Tajikistan stop this hostility towards its citizens.