On Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media

B90065/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media

(2024/2506(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Tajikistan,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the crackdown against protesters in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in May 2022 ushered in an era of unprecedented repression against journalists and human rights defenders in the Republic of Tajikistan;

B. whereas in 2022 and 2023, seven journalists in Tajikistan were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in politically motivated trials as the suppression by President Rahmon’s government of independent media intensifies; whereas the authorities also increasingly criminalise the legitimate work of human rights defenders in the country;

C. whereas in July 2023, the United Nations Human Rights Council criticized Tajikistan for its “apparent use of anti-terrorism legislation to silence critical voices”;

D. whereas the European Union and Tajikistan held the 14th round of their annual Human Rights Dialogue on 14 December 2023 in Dushanbe, at which the EU expressed concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression, especially on increasingly restricted space for civil society and independent media and called journalists and human rights defenders “vital pillars of any democracy” and support for their work in Tajikistan;

1. Expresses deep concern with the deteriorating situation in Tajikistan with regards to freedom of expression and condemns the targeting of independent journalists and human rights defenders by the Tajikistan authorities;

2. Calls on the authorities of Tajikistan to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists and human rights defenders unduly detained for their legitimate human rights work, and drop all charges against them, including Abdullo Ghurbati, Zavqibek Saidamini, Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda, Khurshed Fozilov, Khushom Ghulom, Daler Imomali, Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, Manuchekhr Kholiknazarov, and Faromuz Irgashov;

3. Urges the Tajikistan authorities to cease the intimidation and persecution of media workers, human rights defenders, independent lawyers and civil society, as well as to refrain from using anti extremism legislation such as the 2020 “Law on Countering Extremism” and the 2021 “Law on Combating Terrorism” to unduly restrict freedom of expression;

4. Condemns all politically motivated trials and is concerned about lack of fair and public hearings by competent, independent, and impartial courts, as well as reports of inadequate health care, including medical treatment and medication, for political prisoners;

5. Stresses that implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including article 19 on freedom of expression, is a condition of GSP+; calls on the European Commission to take into account ongoing violations against freedom of expression and other human rights as it considers opening GSP+ negotiations with Tajikistan and emphasize to Tajikistan authorities that, in line with the EU's Guidelines on human rights defenders, journalists and human rights defenders unjustly imprisoned must be released before this process can move forward; similarly stresses that any Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement should be conditional on a stark reversal in Tajikistan’s repression of dissenting voices;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and to the President and the Parliament of Tajikistan.