Appeal from relatives of political prisoners

A group of relatives of the leaders of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan appealed to representatives of influential international and regional organizations in Dushanbe, expressing deep concern that the lives of their imprisoned relatives are in danger.

Photo: Internet

We present to your attention the full text of the appeal:

Appeal

To the International Committee of the Red Cross

To the OSCE Program Office in Dushanbe

To the UN Office in Tajikistan

To the US Embassy and other embassies in Dushanbe

We, the relatives of political prisoners, are deeply concerned about the situation of our relatives in Tajikistan’s prisons and believe that their lives are in danger.

Several months ago, a convicted murderer was transferred to the cell of the sentenced Deputy Chairman of the IRPT, Mahmadali Hait. Mahmadali Hait complained that his cellmate was always looking for a pretext to start a conflict with him. He requested the administration to transfer him to a cell with other political prisoners, away from the convicted murderer.

Link: Petitions from the convicted Deputy Chairman of the IRPT: one accepted, two rejected.

Later, the administration confirmed Mahmadali Hait’s words and stated that his kettle would be returned to him, but his radio receiver could not be returned, and they said nothing about whether he would be transferred to another cell or not. Today, his relatives are also concerned and believe that his life is in danger.

Link: The Minister of Justice did not provide a clear answer regarding the health status of Mahmadali Hait

Four other political prisoners, Rahmatullo Rajab, Zubaidullo Rozik, Hikmatullo Saifullozoda, and Muhammadali Faizmuhammad also appealed to the authorities and law enforcement agencies, requesting a review of their cases in the presence of journalists, experts, and international observers.

Link: Appeal of political prisoners to the authorities of Tajikistan

After the publication of the appeal in the media, Hikmatullo Saifullozoda was attacked by the convicted murderer Aslidin Tursunov, and Rahmatullo Rajab was attacked with a knife.

According to reliable sources, Zubaidullo Rozik and Muhammadali Faizmuhammad are being monitored by inmates in prison with the intention of attacking them and causing them harm at an opportune moment.

For this reason, we, the children and relatives of these political prisoners, ask you not to remain indifferent and to save the lives of our fathers and relatives.

We ask the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN Representation in Tajikistan (UNODC):

– To visit Tajikistan’s prisons as soon as possible and inquire about the health status of our relatives,

– To familiarize themselves with the living conditions of the prisoners, their food, and to speak with them privately,

– To monitor the quality of drinking water in the new prison in Vahdat, and to assess the suitability or unsuitability of the conditions of detention for prisoners in this prison.

We know that on February 20, 2020, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provided new equipment for ensuring security in Tajikistan’s penitentiary system worth $287,000. At that time, the head of the Main Department for the Execution of Sentences of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mansurjon Umarov, stated:

“Our task is to maintain security while ensuring respect for the dignity of those deprived of their liberty.”

We also urge the UN Human Rights Committee, which previously demanded that the government of Tajikistan release these political prisoners, to exert pressure on the government of Tajikistan to fulfill these demands.

We, the children and relatives of these political prisoners, declare that their lives are in danger and that Emomali Rahmon, Saymumin Yatimov, Ramazon Rahimzoda, and Mansurjon Umarov bear personal responsibility for any inhumane actions against them. We demand that the names of these individuals be included in the sanction lists of international organizations.

In conclusion, we ask you to organize a conversation with the relevant officials for a more detailed explanation of the situation of political prisoners in Tajikistan.

Sincerely, the relatives of political prisoners;

Firuz Hait, son of Mahmadali Hait

Shukhrat Rahmatullo, son of Rahmatullo Rajab

Khisomidin Rozikov, son of Zubaidullo Rozik

Farogat Sanginova, wife of Hikmatullo Saifullozoda

Muhammadikbol Khusayni, son of Saidumara Khusayni