Opposition activists appealed to the authorities of Tajikistan

A number of opposition activists who participated in demonstrations in Germany addressed the President of Tajikistan and the heads of law enforcement agencies, complaining about the arbitrary detention of their relatives.

The address was published on the page of independent journalist Amrullohi Nizom on Facebook on October 3.

It is noted in the address that all participants in the protests are adults and, according to the laws of both Tajikistan and Germany, they are responsible for their actions, not their parents or relatives.

The address states that law enforcement officers are subjecting their relatives and friends in Tajikistan to persecution, pressure, and torture, detaining them, imprisoning them, and even abducting them.

It is also noted that, according to incoming and currently unconfirmed data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State National Security Committee, and the General Prosecutor’s Office, “during these arbitrary detentions, most of those detained have been subjected to severe moral and physical pressure, in particular, brutal beatings, are unable to stand on their feet, and have lost their health.”

Opposition representatives also appealed to President Emomali Rahmon, General Prosecutor Yusuf Rahmon, Minister of Internal Affairs Ramazon Rahimzoda, and Chairman of the State National Security Committee Saymumin Yatimov “as responsible persons, to provide a legal assessment of all these crimes” committed by law enforcement officers.

The address also notes that even individuals who did not participate in the protests and those who ceased their political activities several years ago have also faced pressure through their relatives in Tajikistan.

We demand that the Ombudsman of Tajikistan, the Red Cross Committee, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the embassies of Germany, the USA, and the UK in Dushanbe create a joint commission to investigate these arbitrary detentions and large-scale human rights violations in Tajikistan, provide a legal assessment of these crimes by law enforcement and special services, and demand that the government of Tajikistan put an end to these violations,” the address states.

The address was signed by:

1. Amrullohi Nizom, journalist and civil society activist living in Poland.

2. Shohrabjab Shohimi, political activist living in Poland.

3. Farhod Odinaev, political activist living in Germany.

4. Sharafiddin Gadoev, political activist living in the Netherlands.

5. Vaysiddin Odinaev, political activist living in Austria.

6. Manuchehri Kuhistoni, political figure living in Germany.

7. Makhmazarif Saidov, political activist living in France.

8. Ravshan Yusupov, civil society activist living in Germany.

9. Fathuddin Usmonzoda, a political activist living in Austria.

10. Abdushukur Mannonov, a political activist living in Lithuania.

11. Saidmukhidinov Fathuddin, a civil society activist living in Europe.

12. Muhammad Tagoev, a civil society activist living in Europe.

13. Muhammadjon Abdulloev, a political activist living in Germany.