Tajik opposition calls government repression in Tajikistan a “crime against humanity”

In recent days, law enforcement agencies in Tajikistan and local authorities have intensified pressure on the relatives of the opposition.

According to some information, in the coming days, Emomali Rahmon will visit one of the European countries, and for this reason, the authorities are forcing the parents and relatives of opposition members to convince their children not to participate in demonstrations and protests during Rahmon’s visit.

So far, the official authorities of Tajikistan have not reported anything about this trip. It is also unknown when and to which European country he will go.

The National Alliance of Tajikistan — a coalition of Tajik opposition parties abroad — in its statement described these actions of the government and law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan as a “crime against humanity” and called on the Tajik government to stop taking the relatives of its political opponents hostage and seeking revenge for political activities “in such a fascist manner,” calling it unacceptable.

“In some cases, law enforcement officers and local authorities entered the homes of opposition members’ relatives and made an inventory of property, including residential houses, cars, real estate, etc., and forced them to sign a receipt that in case their relatives participated in demonstrations and protests against Rahmon, all these properties would be confiscated. There were also threats of cutting off electricity to the homes of these families,” the statement from the National Alliance noted.

At the same time, the political movement “Group 24” also condemned the pressure on the relatives of opposition members in Tajikistan in its statement, deeming these actions of the authorities “contrary to the laws of Tajikistan and the world.” This political movement also called on the people of the country to “defend their rights.”

The statement from “Group 24” noted that the authorities’ pressure on their families did not break their fighting spirit; on the contrary, the news of Rahmon’s visit to Europe pleased the opposition, and they have already stocked up on eggs and paints to greet Rahmon in a special way.

From September 28 to 30, the President of Tajikistan was in Germany on an official invitation from the German authorities. In Berlin, negotiations took place between the heads of Central Asian states and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

When President Emomali Rahmon’s motorcade was moving towards the residence of the President of Germany, members of the political movement “Group 24” shouted “dictator” and threw eggs at his car.

In the photographs later circulated, it can be seen that Emomali Rahmon is exiting the egg-splattered car and looks very upset. One egg hit precisely the window behind which Rahmon was sitting.

After these demonstrations in Tajikistan, law enforcement agencies began a wave of pressure, threats, insults, detentions, and abductions of people considered criminals under the country’s laws, targeting the relatives and close ones of opposition activists, particularly participants of these protests. Even women, children, and elderly people were detained. Some were held in custody for 2-3 days. It is reported that the oldest was 81 years old, while the youngest was one and a half years old.