More than 1500 people are in prisons in Tajikistan on charges of having “liked” “forbidden” videos and posts. The Parliament of Tajikistan has approved amendments that abolish criminal liability for likes on posts and videos on social media. The new amendments to the law were proposed by the First Deputy Attorney General Umed Karimzoda and […]
More than 1500 people are in prisons in Tajikistan on charges of having “liked” “forbidden” videos and posts.
The Parliament of Tajikistan has approved amendments that abolish criminal liability for likes on posts and videos on social media.
The new amendments to the law were proposed by the First Deputy Attorney General Umed Karimzoda and were adopted on April 10. Now, likes under Articles 179 and 307 of the Criminal Code will no longer be punished.
This was first openly stated by First Deputy Attorney General Umed Karimzoda on April 10, when he presented the draft amendments to the parliament deputies.
In his proposal, Karimzoda asked the deputies to amend Articles 179 (terrorism) and 307 (extremism) of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan and completely abolish criminal liability for “likes” on videos and posts on social media.
It is reported that the draft has already been approved by both chambers of parliament and now needs to be signed by the president. After publication, the law will come into effect.
These changes come after the authoritarian President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon acknowledged on October 29, 2024, at an event in Dushanbe, that citizens should not be punished for “likes” on social media posts.
He also noted that some law enforcement officials had initiated criminal cases against citizens simply for liking certain materials on the internet and called for such actions to cease.
It remains unclear whether those already imprisoned will be exonerated and released — among them are journalists, activists, and women, most of whom were convicted for comments and “likes” on opposition publications and media in exile.
It should be noted that Tajikistan has repeatedly faced criticism from international human rights organizations for punishing citizens simply for “likes” and sharing video materials on the internet.