Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan

February 2013

 

In February 2013, the Monitoring Service received 17 reports. Five of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of social, legal and political environment; nine reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and two reports describe conflicts and accusations against the media and journalists.

 

I. POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL ENVIRONMENT DEFINING THE FACTUAL SITUATION IN THE MEDIA

1. Statements of public officials defining the factual status of the mass media

 

3 February

Rakhmatillo Zoirov, leader of SDPT, Dushanbe

 

The leader of the Social-democratic Party of Tajikistan made a statement saying that Abdukayum Kayumzod is one of the best media professionals in the country. “In his work, Kayumzod provides no privileges neither to the authorities nor to the opposition”, — said Zoirov.

 

On 3 February, the Committee on amendments and changes in the law on presidential elections made a statement supporting Abdukayum Kayumzod, correspondent of Radio Ozodi (Tajik branch of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty). The statement was sent to the Tajik Foreign Ministry.

 

Earlier this year, the Foreign Ministry refused to prolong the accreditation to Kayumzod.

 

6 February

Robin Ord-Smith, ambassador of the United Kingdom to Tajikistan, Dushanbe

 

The Ozodagon weekly published an interview with Robin Ord-Smith, the ambassador of the United Kingdom to Tajikistan (#5, 6 February 2013).

 

Inter alia, the diplomat touched upon the issues of the freedom of expression and problems of journalism in Tajikistan. In his opinion, the authorities should observe the principles of the freedom of speech and create better conditions for the mass media. The ambassador stressed that the UK government cooperates with journalists, and he personally is an opponent of any limitations of liberties in the media.

 

2. Factual situation in the media and the freedom of speech

 

6 February

The US embassy to Tajikistan, Dushanbe

 

The embassy of the United States in Dushanbe published a statement regarding the accreditation of Abdukayum Kayumzod, correspondent of Radio Ozodi (Tajik branch of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty).

 

The embassy calls the government of Tajikistan to respect the freedom of the media; diplomats urge the Tajik authorities to establish a robust and transparent mechanism regulating accreditation of journalists and media outlets.

 

“The United States supports the freedom of speech, the free media and the right of media professionals to work without fear of censorship and persecution”.

 

13 February

Ozodagon weekly, Dushanbe

 

The Ozodagon weekly published an article titled “A whip for journalists” (#6, 13.02.2013) presenting the analysis of frequent judicial persecutions of journalists.

 

Inter alia, the newspaper mentions the lawsuit of the government Religious Affairs Committee against the journalist Amrullohi Nizom, the lawsuit of Rustam Khukumov against the ImruzNews weekly, and the lawsuit of Sojida Nazarova, director of a kindergarten against Abdullo Shukurov, correspondent of Radio Ozodi (RFE/RL).

 

In all these cases, complainants demand protection of their honor and dignity. Experts indicate a relation between the legal persecutions and the forthcoming presidential elections scheduled for the fall of 2013.

 

21 February

Rustem Safronov, Russia Today, Dushanbe

 

On 21 February, the advisor to the Director General of the Russian TV channel RT (Russia Today) met with the deputy of the Tajik Foreign Minister Nizomiddin Zokhidov.

 

The parties discussed the issues of cooperation in the information sphere and opportunities of strengthening contacts between the Tajik media and the Russian TV channel Russia Today.

 

“We are interested in expanding our audience. Along with that, we offer our Tajik colleagues free internship at Russia Today with a purpose of further cooperation”, — said Safronov.

 

RT (Russia Today) is a Russian international multilingual information TV company established in 2005. RT is a 24×7 information TV channel broadcasting through satellite in English, Arabic and Spanish languages.

 

II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS

 

1. Ungrounded limitation of access to information

 

1 February

CPJ, international human rights organization

 

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) indicates an alarming trend of pressure against the media in Tajikistan.

 

Domestic Internet providers frequently block access to certain web resources following orders of the government Communication Service. A statement launched on CPJ’s web site says that the authorities order to block local and foreign web sites that publish information criticizing the policies of Emomali Rakhmon and covering the issues of corruption, social and economic problems in Tajikistan.

 

According to CPJ, a number of web sites and portals, including Facebook and YouTube, were blocked thrice during last year, following orders from Beg Zukhurov, head of the Tajik government communication service.

 

“The Tajik authorities always deny their involvement in the blocking, referring to “technical maintenance”. However, in November 2012, Zukhurov publically called Facebook “a hotbed of libel”, adding that the access to the web site was initiated by a group of ‘civil activists’”, — the CPJ statement says.

 

CPJ also reports that Zukhurov’s deputy Rafikjon Shokirov referred to “certain amendments” to Tajikistan’s civil code, according to which it is prohibited to publish information defaming honor and dignity of citizens. The official failed to explain who comprise that group of ‘civil activists’. According to Shokirov, the communication service did not issue any written orders for the Internet service providers.

 

Referring to Tajik media experts, CPJ says that the ‘interested civil activists’ are public servants charged to control the Internet content and trace publications criticizing the president and bureaucrats.

 

CPJ says that the Tajik authorities intend to join the “regional club of Internet censors” (dictators of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) to limit access to such sources as BBC, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, RIA Novosti, Lenta.ru, Asia Plus, TojNews, and Ozodagon. These very agencies published objective materials covering the topics of corruption in the government, growing unemployment, energy crisis and repressions against the media and religious groups.

 

2.  Ungrounded limitation of access to information

 

1 February

Farazh weekly, ImruzNews, Ozodagon, Najot

 

On 31 January, correspondents of the Farazh weekly, ImruzNews, Ozodagon, and Najot came to the Tajik government migration service to attend a press conference, but the organizers informed the journalists that they are in a “black list” and are not allowed to participate.

 

Abdullo Kodiri explained the journalists that the migration service does not welcome their presence because the newspapers they represent criticized the agency and the government.

 

3. Attack on a journalist

 

28 February

Abdurakhim Umarov, press secretary, customs service, Dushanbe

 

On 27 February, unknown individuals attacked Abdurakhim Umarov, press secretary of Tajikistan’s customs service. Umarov was delivered to the Interior Ministry hospital with bodily injuries.

The police initiated a criminal investigation, but the victim has no allegations about the motive of the crime.

 

4. Accusation of disorderly conduct

 

18 February

Amrullohi Nizom, TojNews, Dushanbe

 

The Shohmansur district court in Dushanbe conducted the first hearing on the complaint of the government Religion Committee and the Organized Crime Control Unit under the Interior Ministry against the correspondent of the TojNews information agency Amrullohi Nizom.

 

The defendant says that the chairman of the government Religion Committee initiated the case because of a series of articles criticizing the Council of Ulems (religious leaders).

 

Amrullohi Nizom also published a letter requiring a legal assessment of actions of officers from the Organized Crime Control Unit who came to the ImruzNews office to arrest him, and to evaluate the professional competence of the head of the Religion Committee.

 

On 19 February, the Shohmansur district court delivered a judgment, according to which the journalist is accounted guilty (Article 460 of the Tajik administrative code – disorderly conduct). He must pay a fine in the amount of seven minimal monthly salaries, which is 280 Somoni, an equivalent of $57.

 

Amrullohi Nizom intends to appeal the case in a court of superior jurisdiction. Media experts say that the accusation against the journalist was fabricated because of his insistence in attempts to have access to information.

 

5. Нарушение гражданско-процессуальных норм судопроизводства

 

11 february

ImruzNews weekily, Dushanbe

 

The Sino district court in Dushanbe started hearings on the lawsuit of Rustam Khukumov against the ImruzNews weekly.

 

Khukumov, the son of the director of the Tajik Railroads applied to the court complaining that the newspaper insulted him.

 

The judge, Sherzod Nizamov ruled that the hearings will be held behind closed doors, referring to the norms of Constitution and the Tajik civil-procedural code.

 

Khukumov applied to the court in January 2012 demanding a moral compensation form ImruzNews in the amount of 50 thousand Somoni. Thye demand is based on the publication in ImruzNews last year, titled “Khukumov and Bakiev are headache for their fathers” telling about conflicts between the sons of influential Central Asia public servants/politicians and the law enforcement agencies in foreign countries.

 

Legal experts say that the decision of the judge to hold the hearings behind closed doors is ungrounded – the public at large had known the facts about Khukumov long before they were described in the article published by ImruzNews.

 

26 February

CPJ, international human rights organization

 

The international organization Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is concerned about court hearings being held in Tajikistan behind closed doors. A representative of CPJ Muzaffar Suleimanov told the media that the fine of 50 thousand Somoni as a moral compensation imposed on ImruzNews weekly can have a negative impact on the Tajik non-state mass media.

 

On 25 February, the judge Sherzod Nizamov ruled to oblige the newspaper to pay 50 thousand Somoni to the complainant Rustam Khulumov as a moral compensation for the publication “defaming his dignity and reputation”. The judge also ruled that the newspaper must publically apologize before the complainant.

 

The editor of ImruzNews told the media that the newspaper is going to appeal against the verdict to the court of upper instance.

 

III. CONFLICTS, VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS

 

1. Defamation 

 

15 February

ImruzNews, Dushanbe

 

The company Tojiron applied to the economic court with a complaint against the ImruzNews weekly and the lawyer Faizinisso Vokhidova. The company accused the defendants of libel and damage of business reputation. (Asia Plus, #15, 21.02.2013).

 

Tojiron demands public refutation of an article published by ImruzNews and a moral compensation of 50 thousand Somoni from the lawyer and a symbolic amount of 1 Somoni from the newspaper.

 

25 February

ImruzNews, Dushanbe

 

The Ismoili Somoni district court obliged the ImruzNews weekly to pay a moral compensation in the amount of 50 thousand Somoni to Rustam Khukumov, the son of the director of the Tajik railway company.

 

Gulchekhra Kholmatova, the lawyer of ImruzNews told the media that she is not satisfied with the court decision – since the requirements of the defendant were not taken into consideration and the trial was held behind closed doors.

 

The lawyer added that she intends to appeal against the verdict in the city court.

 

 

DUSHANBE — Tajikistan’s Customs Service press secretary Abdurahim Umarov is being treated in a hospital after being severely beating.

Umarov told RFE/RL that four unknown men attacked him late on February 27 near a market place in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.

Umarov, who has been working on a documentary about gasoline smuggling from neighboring Kyrgyzstan, said he received threats several months ago.

Before accepting his job last year as the Customs Service’s press secretary, Umarov worked for a number of domestic and international media outlets, including RFE/RL.

The deputy chief of Tajikistan’s Customs Service, Nemat Rahmatov, told RFE/RL that a request to investigate the attack against Umarov has been sent to the Interior Ministry.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajikistan-press-secretary-attacked/24915095.html

WASHINGTON — A top official has told a Congressional committee that although the United States sees no «imminent Islamic militant threat to Central Asian states,» the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan is looking for opportunities to expand its presence in the region as part of a long-term strategy to broaden its influence.

Testifying before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake said Central Asian states faced challenges that could fuel radicalism and threaten U.S. interests in the region.

He said the United States was working with those governments to help them address cross-border challenges like terrorism and proliferation.

But he also said that Washington won’t stop pressing regional leaders on the need to implement democratic and human rights reforms.

http://www.rferl.org/content/us-central-asia-islamist-threat/24914755.html

DUSHANBE — A popular television channel in Tajikistan’s capital has gone off the air after broadcasting an interview with a prominent dissident poet. 

On the evening of February 24, the Poytaht (The Capital) public television channel showed an interview with Gulrukhsor Safieva, who is known for her verses criticizing the Tajik government.

The channel has been unavailable since the morning of February 25.

Poytaht is controlled by the Dushanbe city administration.

Officials at Tajikistan’s State Television and Radio Corporation told RFE/RL that the channel stopped broadcasting because of technical problems with transmission equipment.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik-tv-off-air/24912906.html

DUSHANBE — A son of the head of Tajikistan’s State Railway Company has won a libel case against the weekly newspaper «Imruznews.»

The Ismoili Somoni District Court in Dushanbe has ruled that the privately held newspaper must pay 50,000 somonis ($8,000) to Rustam Hukumov for damaging «his honor and dignity.»

The court also required the weekly to publicly apologize for its article titled «Hukumov and Bakiev Became Headaches For Their Fathers.»

It compared Hukumov with the son of ousted Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiev.

Both Bakievs are wanted on corruption charges.

The newspaper’s lawyer, Gulchehra Holmatova, told RFE/RL that she plans to appeal the court’s decision.

She said the trial was held behind closed doors, which was a violation of procedural regulations for such cases.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajikistan-libel/24911764.html

A well-known Tajik journalist and activist has been stabbed in Moscow.

Bakhtior Sattori told RFE/RL in a telephone interview on February 20 that an unknown assailant attacked him near his apartment.

Sattori said he was stabbed in the stomach and face on February 19.

He underwent surgery and doctors say his condition is serious but stable.

Sattori said he has no idea who is behind the attack.

He said the attacker’s face was covered but he described the man’s eyes as looking «Central Asian.»

Sattori, 49, worked at the Tajik Embassy in Moscow before becoming the press secretary of the Tajik Migration Service’s representative board in Moscow.

After losing his job last year, Sattori became an active member of an organization called the Training Club of Tajikistan’s Future Government.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik-activist-stabbed/24907630.html

Awell-known Tajik journalist and activist has been stabbed in Moscow. 

Bakhtior Sattori told RFE/RL in a telephone interview on February 20 that an unknown assailant attacked him near his apartment.

Sattori said he was stabbed in the stomach and face on February 19.

He underwent surgery and doctors say his condition is serious but stable.

Sattori said he has no idea who is behind the attack.

He said the attacker’s face was covered but he described the man’s eyes as looking «Central Asian.»

Sattori, 49, worked at the Tajik Embassy in Moscow before becoming the press secretary of the Tajik Migration Service’s representative board in Moscow.

After losing his job last year, Sattori became an active member of an organization called the Training Club of Tajikistan’s Future Government.

— RFE/RL’s Tajik Service

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik-activist-stabbed/24907630.html

The Open Society Documentary Photography Project (http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/about/programs/documentary-photography-project) announces a grant and training opportunity for documentary photographers from Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Pakistan.

The grant is being offered to:

visually document issues of importance in the region; and
provide training and support to photographers from the region.

Approximately 10 cash stipends in the amount of $3,500 each will be awarded to photographers to produce a photo essay on a current human rights or social issue in the region. Grantees will participate in two master-level workshops on visual storytelling through photography and multimedia. These workshops are led by internationally-recognized photographers and industry professionals who will then provide ongoing mentorship and support throughout the six-month grant term.

The Open Society Foundations will pay travel and hotel expenses and provide a per diem to cover meals and incidentals for the workshops.

The deadline for proposals is March 5, 2013.

For more information on the grant, please visit: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/production-grants-individuals

Journalists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries can apply for this fellowship.

Internationale Journalisten-Programme (IJP) offers the Marion Gräfin Dönhoff Fellowship for young journalists. The aim of the program is to give young journalists an idea of the politics, economy, culture and social life of Germany, and give them an opportunity to gain work experience in foreign newsrooms.

Staff or freelance journalists ages 23 to 35 can participate in the program. Applicants must have excellent knowledge of the German language.

Fellows will intern in German newsrooms and work as foreign correspondents covering events in Germany for their countries’ media.

Participants will receive stipends of EUR€3,900 (about US$5,300) each, which will cover travel expenses, health insurance and accommodations.

The deadline is April 15.

For more information, click here: http://www.ijp.org/doenhoff.html?&Result%3A_no_post_sending_forms_are_found%3B=

Amid a lingering climate of fear hanging over southern Kyrgyzstan, journalists there are embracing a Soviet-style survival tactic: rather than run the risk of reprisals for writing freely, they are self-censoring and reporting only on what are considered safe topics.

Appearances can be slightly deceiving when it comes to gauging the operating environment for reporters in Kyrgyzstan. Reporters Without Borders, in its 2013 World Press Freedom Index, indicated that Kyrgyzstan’s media climate is the most favorable in Central Asia, ranking it 106th, out of the 179 countries evaluated. Tajikistan was the next best, coming in at 123rd. Kazakhstan ranked 160th, Uzbekistan 164th and Turkmenistan 177th.

The Reporters Without Borders report looks at Kyrgyzstan as a whole. Local observers, however, say that conditions in the northern and southern sections of the country are markedly different. Southern Kyrgyzstan was the scene of widespread inter-ethnic violence in 2010 and tensions have remained high there since then, with ethnic Uzbeks feeling particularly skittish. Given the situation, the quality of journalism in the region is suffering, according to a Bishkek-based media watchdog, called Journalists.

“The sad reality is that journalists in southern Kyrgyzstan try to defend themselves by heavy self-censorship,” Aigul Matieva, a media lawyer and attorney for Journalists, told EurasiaNet.org. “Media people do not dare to write openly about their concerns, as they are low-paid and vulnerable.”

Local officials in southern Kyrgyzstan deny that the media climate is repressive. “The government does not interfere in work of journalists,” Kamil Sydykov, the head of the Osh Mayor’s Press Service, told EurasiaNet.org. “They decide how they write and what they write about. We do not control them, and do not give them instructions.”

Journalists in southern Kyrgyzstan contend that authorities don’t need to be heavy-handed because, based on what has occurred in the region over the past two-plus years, it’s easy for anyone to anticipate what can happen to those who contradict the official line. Cholpon S., a local journalist from Osh, who asked to change her name for security reasons, readily admits that she avoids writing anything critical of the policies and practices of government officials, both on the local and national level.

“I have a feeling that all critical materials are being monitored by Kyrgyz authorities, therefore I, like most of my colleagues, stay away from reporting on political, nationalism or corruption issues,” Cholpon told EurasiaNet.org. “If you criticize authorities, you may end up being questioned by a National Security Committee officer in a best-case scenario. Writing stories about growing nationalism is more dangerous, as an angry mob can attack for you being unpatriotic.”

Cholpon is not an exception as many journalists admit to being concerned about their personal security. Stanislav Polishuk, a freelance reporter based in Osh, says journalists self-censor their stories because they realize “in case of trouble nothing can protect him or her.”

“Unfortunately, the law may not always be a reliable protection, as quite often interviewees speak off the record, or ask not to mention their family names. And without making references to sources, a reporter can’t justify and prove his or her critical materials,” Polishuk told EurasiaNet.org.

Begaim Usenova, the head of Institute for Media Policy in Bishkek, says the threat of lawsuits is a significant factor in media self-censorship. Kyrgyz courts are not deemed independent and officials have been known to use the judicial system to enforce their political will. An easy way to get revenge against a journalist or media outlet that riles a member of the political elite, then, is for that power-broker to file a lawsuit.

“In 2012, the Institute for Media Policy participated in 24 court trials and registered 8 acts of violence against reporters,” Usenova told EurasiaNet.org. “When former or incumbent state officials or lawmakers claim damages while suing journalists, they ask for over million soms (approximately US $21,200), which shows that they do not seek refutation, but rather want to shut down a certain media outlet.”

Usenova went on to note that a Kyrgyz parliamentary resolution, which prompted a ban on the Russian-language news service Ferghana News, has had a chilling effect on local journalists. “In June 2011, the National Parliament, while discussing the temporary parliamentary commission investigation of the results of the tragic 2010 events, passed a resolution and ordered the Government to take measures to block [Ferghana News],” Usenova explained.

“Consequently, following the resolution, in February 2012, the national communication provider “Kyrgyztelecom” restricted access to the site for residents of this country, without having either legal right or without any judicial decision.”

“Kyrgyzstan is a member of the OSCE, and lawmakers of the national parliament should not take decisions to restrict the freedom of the mass media, including Internet media outlets,” Usenova added. International media watchdogs also have assailed Kyrgyz authorities over the ban, and Ferghana News representatives have brought a pair of lawsuits seeking to lift the restriction and enhance press freedom.

Address of the original publication: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66543