Residents of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region appealed to the country’s authorities

Residents of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region have appealed to the country’s authorities demanding punishment for those responsible and the restoration of internet and communication in the region.

Photo: Internet

In their statement, they demanded the restoration of internet and communication in the region, and the prosecution of all those involved in the murder of Gulbidin Ziyobekov and those who used weapons against peaceful protesters.

The authors of the appeal stated that GBAO is a protest region, and the blame for the instability of the situation lies primarily with the central government.

The appeal also includes demands from the residents of GBAO to the government.

The full text of the appeal from the residents of GBAO:

Appeal from the residents of GBAO to the authorities

We, the residents of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region and its expatriates living outside the region and the country, have once again witnessed the legal arbitrariness of law enforcement agencies in our small homeland and the escalation of the situation in Khorog.

Since 2012, the territory of the region has turned into a permanent hotspot of tension. During the so-called special operation by the security forces of the Republic of Tajikistan in July 2012, 23 civilians were killed. Despite the recommendations of the UN Committee, no investigation into the events has been conducted by the authorities of the republic. In May 2014, Tajik security forces shot at a car in the center of Khorog, resulting in the deaths of two citizens and four serious injuries. In May 2020, in the Rushan district, the rough treatment of security forces during the capture of a criminal also led to a conflict with the population, resulting in serious injuries to civilians.

Yesterday, November 25, the incompetence and impunity of law enforcement representatives led to the deaths of residents of the Tavdem village in the Roshtkala district, Gulbidin Ziyobekov and Amirshoev Tutisho. A criminal case against Gulbidin Ziyobekov was initiated prejudicially. Gulbidin and other residents of the Roshtkala district defended their sister, who became a victim of harassment by the district prosecutor’s assistant. Video evidence of this incident was circulated last year, but law enforcement agencies did not respond to this fact. Instead, a case was initiated against Gulbidin, who was ultimately killed. Security forces also opened fire on demonstrators in the city of Khorog, injuring eight civilians.

For almost 10 years, there has been a large-scale campaign to discredit the residents of the region, mainly its youth, who are then sentenced to long terms on various charges. Over these years, more than 1,000 young people have been imprisoned, which is a significant number for our already small region.

The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region is a protest region, and the blame for the instability of the situation lies primarily with the central government, the dire socio-economic situation, unemployment and lack of income, underfunding of the region, both from the republic’s budget and foreign investments, which directly affect the security of this region and the republic, as well as the growing discontent among the population. The failure to address these issues ultimately leads to open confrontations with law enforcement agencies and government structures, resulting in demonstrations and the use of force to resolve the region’s problems.

Since 2018, by presidential decree, an interagency headquarters for maintaining order and legality has been established in the region. This structure, contrary to the legislation of Tajikistan, has taken on the functions of the court, investigation, and local executive authorities, violating the laws of both the Republic of Tajikistan and international norms. The residents of the region do not even have the right to elect their chairman and jointly seek solutions to the region’s problems. Recent appointments in the region have completely deprived the people of hope for an improvement in the situation. The region needs solutions to its global problems, but the new personnel have no experience for this and, most likely, do not even have the understanding or desire to do anything in this direction.

This destructive approach and militarization of the region create an ever-widening gap between the authorities and the population and lead to major destabilization in the region. Recent events in Khorog vividly demonstrate this assertion.

Given the current situation, we, as full-fledged citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan, demand from the authorities:

Regarding the situation on November 25, 2021

● Immediately restore all types of communication with GBAO

● Hold accountable all those involved in the murder of Gulbidin Ziyobekov and Amirshoev Tutisho and those who used weapons against peaceful protesters on November 25, 2021

● Provide adequate moral and material compensation to the families of the deceased and injured civilians

Regarding strengthening local authority

● Convene an extraordinary Majlis of People’s Deputies and, using its legislative initiative, amend the Law “On GBAO” so that the head of the region is elected by vote

● Restore legitimate authority in the region and limit the interference of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) in the activities of other state structures

● Restore representatives of the local population to key positions in regional law enforcement agencies

Regarding the demilitarization of the region

● Liquidate the interagency headquarters for maintaining order and legality established in 2018 and send the attached security personnel back to their permanent deployment

● Fully demilitarize the city of Khorog, and relocate military units to military bases and border areas