Open letter from NATO to the President of Iran

The National Alliance of Tajikistan has addressed an open letter to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, urging him to raise the issue of Tajik political prisoners during his visit to Dushanbe.

On November 6, Salim Sultonzada, the spokesperson for the National Alliance of Tajikistan, a coalition of opposition groups from Tajikistan abroad, published the open letter on his Facebook page.

In its open letter, the NAT called on the Iranian president to discuss certain issues during his meeting with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon and the country’s government on November 7 in Dushanbe.

In particular, the NAT emphasized that it does not consider the current government of Tajikistan, led by Emomali Rahmon, to be legitimate, as Rahmon “came to power in 1992 through a violent coup and has since held power in his hands, turning it into a family-clan government today.”

The NAT notes that Iran is a guarantor of the Tajik peace agreement of 1997, and when Emomali Rahmon unilaterally violated the peace agreement, Iran should adhere to its obligations under this agreement, as “it is in the interests of both countries.”

The National Alliance of Tajikistan reminds that the government of Emomali Rahmon, after violating the Peace Agreement, imprisoned the leaders of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, some of whom received life sentences.

“Since the issue of releasing these political prisoners cannot be resolved without Rahmon’s intervention, we expect that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the guarantor of the peace agreement, and you personally, as the president of this country, will raise the issue of their release during your meeting with Rahmon. We are ready to use all means for their release,” the letter from the NAT states.

The letter also notes that “the government, under the pretext of maintaining stability and peace, continues to harshly suppress the opposition and does not respect any values. However, we believe that security and stability in our country are impossible without comprehensive reform, the release of political prisoners, and holding transparent elections in which all political forces of the country can participate.”

According to the press service of the President of Tajikistan, on November 7, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Dushanbe for a two-day visit.

Raisi is expected to participate in the meeting of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Tajikistan and Iran, which will take place in Dushanbe from November 7 to 12, as well as at the Forum of Entrepreneurs of Tajikistan and Iran.

This is already Ebrahim Raisi’s second visit to Tajikistan since he was elected president of Iran.