Human rights organization criticizes Rahmon’s regime

Reporters Without Borders notes that there is an “atmosphere of terror” in Tajikistan.

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In the new ranking of the World Press Freedom Index – 2022, compiled by Reporters Without Borders, Tajikistan ranks 152nd out of 180 countries for 2022.

The organization for the protection of journalists’ rights, Reporters Without Borders, in its report called on the Rahmon regime to “stop fostering an atmosphere of fear that prevents the press from criticizing the regime and to release all detained journalists.”

The organization accused the Tajik authorities of disregarding international institutions. The report notes that Abdullo Gurbati was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on October 4, 2022. “The sentence handed down to him during the visit of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, underscores the regime’s blatant disregard for international institutions,” the report states.

Reporters Without Borders reports that journalists expressed pessimism in their letters regarding the prospects for press freedom in the country, stating that they do not believe in justice in Tajikistan and are convinced that their sentences were handed down in the corridors of power even before their arrests. These words reflect “the atmosphere of terror established by President Emomali Rahmon,” which encourages the persecution of journalists and their self-censorship.

After 2021 and the official introduction of censorship for television and radio, independent journalism has faced a wave of repression from the authorities, the report notes.

“The authorities are trying to establish complete control over public opinion in the country, which will have a very negative impact on Tajikistan’s image,” said Nuriddin Karshiboev, head of the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (NANSMIT), to the organization.