This report, which covers developments affecting the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Tajikistan for the period from April to September 2023, was prepared by International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) for the CIVICUS Monitor.
During the reporting period, the situation in Tajikistan continued to deteriorate, particularly due to an escalating crackdown on journalists, bloggers and the media. The authorities continued to use over-broad criminal charges of “extremism” and “terrorism” to silence those who speak out on issues perceived as sensitive, accusing them of having connections with organisations or media outlets previously banned as “extremist” because they had allegedly “liked” or shared the posts of such organisations or outlets. The government also shut down several independent news outlets after labelling them as “extremist” and limiting public access to information. Although not officially introduced to parliament yet, a new restrictive draft law on blogging, initiated by a member of parliament, has been circulating in media and on social media. These developments all raise serious concerns about freedom of expression and media in the country.
Human Rights Lawyers
Imprisoned human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov, who was sent to isolation in a “punishment cell” after allegedly criticising President Rahmon (see previous Monitor entry), was sentenced to an additional 10 years of imprisonment by Vahdat Township Court on 10th July 2023. The new criminal case against Yorov was initiated on charges of a large-scale fraud committed with a particularly dangerous recidivism under Article 247 (4) of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan. The trial was held behind closed doors. Yorov did not have access to a lawyer and the details of the process at the time of writing remain unknown. His two attempts to appeal against this sentence were unsuccessful.
Yorov was wrongfully imprisoned in September 2015 and sentenced to 22 years (reduced by four years under amnesty in October 2021) on trumped-up charges after he provided legal representation to members and leaders of the banned opposition party, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRTP). According to international standards, lawyers must “not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions”.
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https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/tajikistan-suppressing-critical-voices/
