This monitoring presents a compilation of reports from Tajikistan’s media and private reports from the NANSMIT monitoring network in the country

Coordinator of the Monitoring Network in Tajikistan:
Abdufattokh Vokhidov

Head of the Legal Service:
Orifjon Azimov

Head of the Project in Tajikistan:
Nuriddin Karshibayev

Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan
Situation in February 2009

In February 2009 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 17 reports. Fourteen of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; two reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and one report describes conflicts and accusations against the media and journalists.

I. PECULIARITIES OF POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL CLIMATE IN THE COUNTRY DEFINING THE FACTUAL SITUATION IN THE MEDIA

1. Public speeches and statements of superior officials defining the factual situation in the mass media

4 February
Khikoyatmo Khakimova, deputy head of Khatlon province, Kurgan-Tube

On 4 February the new deputy head of Khatlon province, Khikoyatmo Khakimovs held a meeting with the media. Khakimova informed journalists about the intentions and desire of the authorities to cooperate with the media.
“Journalists are creative individuals, and people trust them”, — she said. — “The media is the best source of information about the ongoing problems, events and developments”.

7 February
Emomali Rakhmon, President of Tajikistan, Dushanbe

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon signed a decree “On response of officials to critical and analytical publications in the media».
The President’s Office press service informs that the decree pursues the goals of strengthening executive discipline and enhancing the role of the media in public, political and socio-economic life of the society.
Ministers and managers of enterprises are charged to take urgent measures on critical remarks and suggestions voice in the media.

9 February
All media, Dushanbe

“In case of non-fulfillment of the President’s decree, officials will be brought to responsibility in accordance with the law “On applications of citizens”, — said Saidali Siddikov, head of the information-analytical unit under the President’s office. He made this statement at a round table organized by the Tajik Union of Journalists.
Siddikov also told the media that the decree signed on 7 February has been sent to 700 relevant institutions in Tajikistan.
“I am confident that this initiative will be an impulse in resolving the most relevant issues touched upon in the media”, — said Siddikov. – “This is the evidence of the government’s support to the media”.

11 February
Ilkhom Jamolov, head of the information-analytical center of the Sughd province authorities

On 11 February head of the information-analytical center of the Sughd province authorities Ilkhom Jamolov held a meeting with representatives of the regional and local media to familiarize them with the President decree “On response of officials to critical and analytical publications in the media».

24 February
Narzullo Dadabaev, head of press service, Ministry of Agriculture, Dushanbe

“The Ministry of Agriculture calls journalists to a closer cooperation, and is ready to respond to critical and analytical materials in the media”, — said Narzullo Dadabaev, head of the Ministry’s press service. He also stated that the Minister of Agriculture Kosim Kosimov considers that the media should fully participate in resolving problems in this sector.

3. Evaluation of the factual situation in the media and the freedom of speech

12 February
All media, Dushanbe

“Most of the Tajik media have partner relations with the authorities”, — said professor Ibragim Usmanov at a round table “Media and the authorities: partnership or dissent?” organized by a public unit “Journalist” jointly with the Tajik Union of journalists. (Farazh newspaper, #6, 12.02.09).

Usmonov said that in the relations between the media and the authorities the latter always prevail. Having listed a number of factors, which have had a negative influence on the Tajik media, the professor said that the absence of daily newspapers in the country is the most essential problem.

18 February
All media

“The project of a unified center of electronic communication, which has been repeatedly proposed for implementation, brings into a question the existence of the freedom of speech in the country”, — stated Mikhail Petrushkov, executive director of the Tajik Association of Small and Medium Business Ventures. The statement was made at a press conference for representatives of telecom companies. Experts say that the implementation of such a project would imply a total control over the national communication. Another troublesome fact is that the national communication operator “Tojiktelecom”, the author of this idea would have monopolist rights in this sector.

25 February
Radio Sadoi Dushanbe

Radio program “Speak Russian” on the city Radio Sadoi Dushanbe has been dormant for several months. Tatyana German, head of the Pushkin society in Tajikistan says that the main reason for termination of the program is the absence of funds.

4. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

5 February
Tajik Union of Journalists, Dushanbe

The Tajik Union of Journalists is launching a series of meetings dedicated to its 50-th anniversary. The Union is planning to hold meetings with veterans of the domestic journalism.

II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA

1. Impediments to professional activities

5 February
Bakhtior Valiev, correspondent, Asia Plus, Khujand, Sughd province

Bakhtior Valiev, freelance correspondent of Asia Plus news agency was invited to the Sughd province Health department.
The reason for the invitation was a publication about problems with power supply at the province cardiological center, where physicians had to terminate surgical operations.
Health officials, previously interviewed by the correspondent, recommended him to make additional clarifications to the published story.

COMMENT

Article 30 of the Tajik Constitution, Articles 2 and 36 of the law “On printing and other mass media” and Article 3 of the law “On TV and Radio” guarantee and protect the freedom of speech and the right to use the mass media.

According to Article 31 of the law “On printing and other mass media”, journalists have the right to receive and disseminate information, to produce any records, including those performed with the help of audio, photo and video equipment, except for cases described in the legislation.
Impediments in any professional activities, as well as coercion to dissemination or refusal of dissemination of information forms corpus delicti according to Article 162 of the Tajik Criminal Code.

3. Ungrounded limitations in provision of publicly important information

22 February
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Dushanbe

At a press conference in January journalists complained that they cannot timely receive publicly important information from persons in charge at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

COMMENT

The freedom of speech and the right to use information are guaranteed by Article 30 of the Tajik Constitution. Exceptions are the data containing elements of national secrecy.
Article 31 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On printing and other mass media” enables journalists to look for, receive and disseminate information applying any legal means. And Article 5 of the Law in question obliges state, political and public organizations, entities and their officials to provide the media with requested information. Denial in provision of information, according to Article 27 of the Law in question, can be discussed between the medium and the relevant official, and also can be considered in court.

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Protection of honor, dignity and business reputation

19 February
Gulbakhor Gafforova, actress of the Khandinkamon theater studio, Kulyab, Khatlon province

Gulbakhor Gafforova, actress of the Khandinkamon theater in the city of Kulyab is going to apply to the court against the Pazhvok newspaper accusing it of insult of her honor and dignity.
Gafforova is concerned about a publication containing false information about her private life. She says that during the tour in Khatlon province she did not have any contacts with any mass medium, and the printed articles is an insult against her.
The actress also complains that the Sughd newspaper published in Sughd province reprinted Pazhvok’s article.

COMMENT

According to Articles 24, 26 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On printing and other mass media”, the individual who considers that the published material contains untrue or unreliable information, has the right to demand publication pf an answer or refutation of the previously made statement. In case of refusal or avoidance of the medium to publish the answer (explanation), or in case of untimely publication (beyond the established term), the individual or legal entity can appeal to the court.

This report is based on compiled materials from the media and private information presented by correspondents of the NANSMIT Monitoring Network

Coordinator of the Monitoring Service
Abdufattokh Vokhidov

Project Manager
Nuriddin Karshibaev

The Tajik Ministry of Agriculture appealed to journalists soliciting for a closer cooperation. “The Ministry is ready to react and take decisive measures after critical and analytical publications,” – said Narzullo Dadabaev, head of the Ministry’s press service.

The Minister of Agriculture, Kosim Kosimov also considers that the media should participate in the resolution of problems in agriculture.

The Minister has recently signed an order, which, in particular, says the following: “Heads of jurisdictional units, enterprises and organizations, i.e. subordinates to the Ministry must take decisive measures in response to analytical and critical publications in both domestic and foreign media”. The order also obliges agricultural officials to present reports on these measures to the Ministry.

For the time being, there are 46 jurisdictional units under the Ministry, including the state unitary enterprises, administrative units, etc. Seventy three percent of the population reside in rural areas; about 700 thousand people are employed in the agricultural sector.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

Mahmadsaid Ubaidullaev, speaker of the Tajik Parliament had a meeting last week with Izatullo Zargomi, chairman of the Iranian TV & Radio Committee.

According to the Parliament’s press service, the parties discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of telecommunications, information technologies and joint implementation of broadcasting projects.

Zargomi told the press service that his agency is planning to organize a series of TV and radio programs about Tajikistan to facilitate the promotion of Tajikistan’s achievements and help the country’s economy attract the Iranian capital.

Ubaidullaev mentioned the necessity of studying the Iranian entrepreneurial experience in order to facilitate the development of free economic zones in Tajikistan. Broadcasting can play a very important role in that.

The Iranian guest also told the press service about the intention to broadcast the celebration of Navruz (Vernal Equinox) from Tajikistan via the Iranian TV and radio channels.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

The Business and Politics weekly jointly with the Tajik labor migrants’ trade union in the CIS countries have launched a special periodical on the issues of labor migrations.

Rakhmon Ulmasov, editor of Business & Politics told the Khovar news agency that the special edition will be published on the weekly basis. The authors and editors will be writing about the problems of labor migration, about illegal migration; special articles will cover peculiarities of legislation in the Russian Federation.

http://www.khovar.tj/

The International Journalists’ Network recently launched a YouTube page that aims to connect journalists throughout the world with an ever expanding library of online journalism training videos.

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The Tajik government decided to include the Sharki Ozod printing facility in the list of vitally important objects of infrastructure in the conditions of the ongoing energy crisis in the country.

Sharki Ozod facilitates publication of the main periodicals – both government and private outlets. Shavkat Soidov, press secretary of the Dushanbe municipality told the media that the printing house will not be cut off current during the crisis.

“The decision was made jointly by the mayor’s office and the Barki Tojik energy holding, — said Saidov. — Sharki Ozod will have uninterrupted power supply 24 hours a day. The only exception might be in case of an occasional accident within the city power grid”.

Saidov also told that the key healthcare and other important facilities are included in the list of vitally important objects.

On 12 February the authorities introduced essential limitations on power supply. Most of the Dushanbe residents have access to electricity from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 11 p.m.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

Saidali Siddikov, head of Information Department under the President’s office told journalists at a recent round table in Dushanbe that “In case of inaction after criticism in the media, public officials will be brought to responsibility according to the Law “On applications from citizens” and other relevant legal provisions”.

Siddikov also told the participants of the meeting organized by the Tajik Union of Journalists that on 7 February the President signed a special decree establishing responsibility after publications. The decree has been sent to 700 government agencies and local administrations.

According toSiddikov, the implementation of this decree will be controlled by Amirsho Miraliev, head of President’s office executive unit. The unit will develop a coordination and monitoring mechanism.

“I am sure that this initiative will be an impulse in the resolution of the most relevant issues raised in the media, — said Siddikov. — This decree is the evidence of the government’s support to the media and journalists in performing their duties”.

The official also stressed that journalists should bear professional responsibility for the materials they publish.

In 2008, the President’s office executive unit considered and discussed 140 controversial publications in the domestic media.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

Tajikistan is grappling with how to enforce a ban on adherents of an ultra-conservative branch of Islam. At the same time, parliament seems prepared to adopt a new law on religion that, critics say, will effectively prohibit small religious groups from operating legally.
The Tajik Supreme Court in January outlawed the Salafi school of Islam from operating in the country. Authorities blame the movement for stoking religious tensions in Tajikistan and for its alleged ties to terrorist groups. Salafis espouse an ultra-conservative approach to religion, asserting that their practices emulate those which existed during Islam’s early days. Believers in Salafism do not acknowledge the legitimacy of other forms of Islamic worship, including Shi’ism and Sufism.
It remains unclear how authorities can enforce the ban, which went into force on February 9. «How will the authorities decide who is a Salafi? What will such an individual have to do — if anything — before officials decide to punish them?» asked Felix Corley of Forum 18, a Norway-based religious freedom watchdog.
Shortly after the Supreme Court issued its ruling, Prosecutor-General Bobojon Bobokhonov, the man who initiated the case against the Salafi movement in December, told journalists January 13 that the ban was preventative in nature. «During the short period of their activities in Tajikistan, Salafis did not break laws, but their propaganda [did influence] security in the country,» he said.
Such a stance has drawn criticism from domestic and international human rights advocates. Many of those same advocates are viewing the pending religious legislation, which parliament is expected to consider on February 11, as an attempt by the government to formalize a roll-back of religious freedom.
Corley suggested that Tajikistan may be headed in the same direction as neighboring Uzbekistan, which has created a draconian system of control over matters of faith. «One early indication is the report that police in Sughd District [were] already listing those they regard as Salafis, even though the ban [had not] come into force,» Corley told EurasiaNet. «Such moves would bring Tajikistan into line with Uzbekistan, which already maintains extensive listings at a local level of people regarded as ’suspicious’ because of their religious affiliation.»
«Active Muslims and Protestants are already known to be listed and kept under scrutiny,» Corley continued. «Some are then prosecuted, others are sacked from jobs and others are prevented from traveling abroad.»
In its annual assessment of human rights practices in Tajikistan, released in March 2008, the US State Department said that the Tajik government over the previous year had «intensified its monitoring of the activities of religious groups and institutions to prevent them from becoming overtly political.»
In apparent connection with this intensification of monitoring, numerous unofficial mosques were closed down in Dushanbe. In addition, the sole remaining synagogue in the country, built in the 19th century, was demolished because the «ramshackle building» — according to municipal authorities — was «disfiguring» the landscape near the president’s new home, the Palace of the Nation. Although authorities promised to apportion a new parcel of land for a new synagogue, no land has yet been allotted.
Moreover, schoolgirls and university students are not allowed to attend classes wearing a hijab, thus seeming to violate their rights, say observers.
Bobokhonov said the prohibition of the Salafi movement is meant to protect constitutional order and strengthen national security. Printed material promoting Salafi ideas is also prohibited. The prosecutor-general conflated the Salafi movement with Wahabbism, a puritanical branch of Islam that inspired Osama bin Laden. «The [1992-97] civil war [in Tajikistan] also started from the growing influence of the Wahabbi movement,» he said. For many in Tajikistan, with memories of that conflict still fresh, such a reference is enough to justify authoritarian restrictions.
Salafis prefer not to be associated with Wahabbism, given the latter’s political undertones. Even so, both schools of thought proclaim the «oneness» of God and creation, urging believers to look to the lives of Mohammed’s companions for earthly guidance.
Rakhmatillo Zoirov, chairman of Tajikistan’s Social-Democratic Party and a former legal advisor to President Imomali Rahmon, alleged that the prosecutor-general’s initiative to ban Salafis is illegal, the Asia-Plus news agency reported.
Despite questions about the government’s motivation, the increase in restrictions placed on religious groups appears to enjoy widespread support among Tajiks. «Salafi representatives in Tajikistan have gone beyond the borders of religious tolerance and become a factor for public and political instability,» Asia-Plus quoted Abdulloh Rakhim Rakhnamo, an independent expert on religion and conflict prevention, as saying on January 16. The «politically erroneous statements of some young men, who call themselves Salafis, have cleared the way for a deep religious split in our society, which might easily grow into a public-political conflict. Thus, the Salafi movement has turned from a purely religious phenomenon into a political factor.»
Ozoda Rakhimova, a Dushanbe physician, agrees with the ban. «We learn about some new organizations and movements emerging from nowhere, professing something obscure,» she told EurasiaNet. «Apart from the freedom of consciousness, we must have the freedom of protection from sects. In my opinion, the latter is far more important.»
But experts say that prohibitions could provoke a dangerous reaction, especially given the drastic recent decline in Tajikistan’s economy. Some believe the ban will merely increase the popularity of the Salafis, or push ever more youngsters to explore membership in other banned organizations, such as the underground Hizb-ut-Tahrir movement, which seeks the non-violent ouster of existing governments in Central Asia followed by the establishment of an Islamic caliphate.
Corley of Forum 18 sees the Salafi ban as part of a wider trend throughout Central Asia. «Tajikistan is following similar moves to [toughen] religion laws in Kyrgyzstan, where a new law was adopted in January, and in Kazakhstan, where [such a law] is now undergoing a last-minute review by the Constitutional Council. Kazakhstan especially is already cracking down hard on religious communities the authorities do not like, including Protestants, Hare Krishnas, Muslims outside the framework of the state-sanctioned [Spiritual] Board [of Muslims] and Jehovah’s Witnesses.»

Editor’s Note: Konstantin Parshin is a freelance correspondent based in Dushanbe.

Posted February 10, 2009 © Eurasianet
http://www.eurasianet.org

Konstantin Parshin, EurasiaNet

Источник: http://eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav021009a.shtml

Photographers are invited to submit photos that «reflect and celebrate the importance of biodiversity to people everywhere» to an annual photo competition, which will gather photos from around the world on the theme of «Biodiversity Lost, Biodiversity Preserved.» Deadline for submissions is April 1.

The competition, held by Friends of the Earth International, seeks to capture what is being lost, and what the natural world provides.

The competition is free and open to everyone. Young people, women, and people living in the developing world are encouraged to enter.

The best shots, both winning and non-winning, will be featured in a series of materials that will launch in conjunction with the 2010 UN International Year of Biodiversity, including a calendar and an international photo exhibition.

The judges will choose a total of 12 winning photographs as well as three «popular choice» photos per category. The winning photos will be announced in mid-April.

First place photos will receive EU?400 (US$513); second place, EU?200 (US$256); and third place, EU?100 (US$128).

For more information click here or contact Niccolo Sarno at niccolo@foei.org.
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