On Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media

B90083/2024

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

(2024/2506(RSP))

The European Parliament,

 having regard to previous resolutions on Tajikistan;

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

A.whereas freedom of the media and expression have been systematically suppressed in the country over the last decade and Tajikistan’s media are in their worst state since the years of the civil war;

B.whereas since October 2022, authorities have sentenced numerous journalists, including Abdullo Ghurbati, Daler Imomali, Zavqibek Saidamini, Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda, Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, Khushruz Jumayev, Khurshed Fozilov to between seven and over twenty years in prison in retaliation for their coverage of social issues and human rights abuses, including in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast; whereas while the charges against them varied, most were accused of extremism and terrorism-related offences;

C.whereas the news agency Asia-Plus and RFE/RL local service Radio Ozodi, the only two significant independent media voices remaining in Tajikistan, regularly face harassment and threats, including difficulties to obtain accreditation and criminal charges, notably to jounalist Rustami Joni whereas journalists running the independent Azda TV in exile report ongoing pressure by the Tajik security services on their relatives remaining in the country;

D.whereas pressure and self-censorship exerted by authorities on domestic media facilitates Russian propaganda and disinformation, in particular by stifling coverage of the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine;

1.Strongly condemns the ongoing crackdown against independent media, journalists, bloggers, government critics, human rights activists and independent lawyers; condemns the closure of independent media and websites, including the online media outlets Pamir Daily News New Tajikistan 2 and Akhbor.com;

2.Urges the authorities to stop persecuting journalists, immediately release those who have been arbitrarily detained and drop all charges against them; urges the Government to ensure that, they have access to adequate health care; calls on the authorities to thoroughly investigate allegations of mistreatment in custody and forced confession, and bring those responsible to justice;

3.Deplores that trials of critical voices are often held in secret without legal assistance; urges the authorities to unconditionally and immediately release human rights lawyers Manuchehr Kholiknazarov and Buzurgmehr Yorov and stop persecution of lawyers defending government critics;

4.Calls on the government to ensure safe working environment for media workers and human rights defenders in accordance with Tajikistan’s international human rights obligations; Reiterates that the free and independent work of the media and civil society organisations is a cornerstone of a democratic society; reminds that addressing the issues of media freedom and access to fair trials is crucial for Tajikistan’s ambition to join the GSP+, as well as for the negotiations of new EU-Tajikistan EPCA;

5.Calls on the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to increase support for civil society, human rights defenders and independent media workers active in Tajikistan, including funding and emergency visas for those in need of protection;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, HR/VP, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, the EU Member States, the UNHRC and the government and parliament of Tajikistan.