DUSHANBE, 11 February 2011

The Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, Ambassador Ivar Vikki, today condemned the violent attack on Hikmatullo Saifullozoda, member of the Political Council of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan and editor-in-chief of its newspaper, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Saifullozoda has been hospitalized since 7 February, when he was severely beaten outside his Dushanbe home by unidentified men. He is recovering from concussion and serious injuries to his head.

«The attack on Mr. Saifullozoda is deeply troubling,» said Ambassador Vikki. «Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of a democratic society. Violence or threats against those who voice their opinion constitute an attack on values that are held with great respect in Tajikistan, with its history of intellectual debate and dialogue. OSCE commitments agreed by all participating States confirm the right of citizens to free and open information, and this right should be safeguarded by the state.”

Farrukhsho Dzhunaydov, Senior Media Analyst.

The Egypt scenario that has shaken the world could spread to many post-Soviet countries where some aging presidents have been ruling for more than two decades. Seemingly tranquil now, Egypt-style civil disobedience cannot be ruled out in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, or Belarus – all countries where dictatorship, nepotism, and corruption are flourishing.

In developments that moved steadily from the unlikely to the surreal, longtime President Hosni Mubarak – who became one of the world’s longest-serving presidents by rigging election after election for decades – claimed he was “fed up with being president,” before finally resigning on February 11.

In reality, though, it is the Egyptian people who were fed up. The average income in Egypt is about $2,070 per household, according to the World Bank. With about 20 percent of the population living below the poverty line, Mubarak and his family have an estimated wealth of between $50 billion and $70 billion. The Mubarak family owns properties around the globe, according to an IHS Global Insight report.

Faced with the unprecedented protests, Mubarak had said he feared “chaos” if he left too abruptly, but what he really fears is investigation and prosecution, loss of his ill-gained assets, and the exposure of his corrupt dealings. All dictators become hostage to their own sins and to those of their relatives and the narrow circle of insiders that they brought up to the state feeding trough.

It is interesting to look at post-Soviet Central Asia through the prism of Egypt’s experience.

Personal Feifdom

Let’s start with Tajikistan. This small, poor Central Asian state has been ruled by Emomali Rahmon since 1992, just a year after it gained independence. The former Soviet apparatchik governs Tajikistan like a personal fiefdom, and his extended family and inner circle are the beneficiaries of years of entrenched corruption.
As is the case in Egypt, social unrest could erupt in Tajikistan because of poverty. A recent government survey in the southern Hatlon region revealed that some 70 percent of the population is essentially subsisting on bread and tea. Each resident of Hatlon spends an average of $21 a month on food.

But Tajikistan, too, is a largely quiet country where widespread misery is moderated by remarkably low expectations.

Perhaps it makes more sense to look at Kazakhstan. It has been ruled by President Nursultan Nazarbaev for more than 20 years. Now 70 years old, however, Nazarbaev has no ready male heir to hand power off to. Former Nazarbaev son-in-law Rakhat Aliev has written that the president has three wives and plans to hand off power to a son by his third wife who is now only 6 years old.

‘Don’t Leave Your Post’

Egypt clearly sent a signal to Nazarbaev. For years now, he has counted on the apathy of the Kazakh people (compared, for instance, to the neighboring Kyrgyz who seem to have developed an allergy to dictatorship). But Egypt has shown him how quickly docility can turn to unrest and turmoil. Nazarbaev cannot have failed to notice the parallels.

Nonetheless, he claims to have received another signal, this time from the Kazakh people. “The main thing,” Nazarbaev said recently, “that I have understood from our people is, ‘Don’t leave your post’ and, ‘Continue to work on.’ I promise if there is such unanimity and popular support, I will work as long as I can.”

Without an obvious successor for Nazarbaev, the ruling elites seem to have come up with a consensus that it is necessary to freeze the status quo. As is the case with Mubarak, Nazarbaev and his inner circle are hostages to their own pasts. He simply must manage the transition to a successor or risk being swept up in a flood of popular rage.

The parallels with Egypt are significant. The Kazakh people have collected insults for many years, just like the Egyptians. There has been no way for them to vent their energies and a thousand undiscussed questions have accumulated under the thumb of the authorities.

Neighboring Turkmenistan also has bitter experience with eternal presidents. Former leader Saparmurat Niyazov was a lifelong president until his death in 2006, and he showed the world without question that the art of the personality cult is alive and well.

This kind of political culture is highly infectious. Niyazov was followed by Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, who is already treading this familiar path. He recently accepted the honorary name Arkadag (Protector). Turkmen state television recently showed an elderly woman kissing his hand, a gesture the president accepted without shame or demurral.

Recently, a parade of Turkish military servicemen paused as it passed the president and all the soldiers kneeled down before him. Later, 600 girls took to the stadium and formed the word “Arkadag” with their bodies, while participants sang a song called “Thank You, Protector.”

And, of course, neighboring Uzbekistan has followed the same path. In 2005, longtime President Islam Karimov ordered troops to fire on his own people. President since 1990, he is one of the world’s most oppressive dictators and a real time bomb.

Now he is 73. He has no sons, but his wife, Tatyana Karimova, is an economist by training, and they have two daughters, Gulnara and Lola. According to “Der Spiegel,” Gulnara Karimova has assets estimated at $570 million. She reportedly controls the lucrative oil and gas industries, as well as Uzbekistan’s telecom and construction sectors. Her opaque business interests are believed to extend to Moscow, Dubai, and Geneva. It is possible the Karimov family and the ruling elite would like to see her become the successor, but there are many in Uzbekistan who would oppose a continuation of the Karimov dynasty and, of course, the installation of a female leader.

After decades in power, any of these leaders could be the next to decide he is “fed up with being president.”

Cholpon Orozobekova is a Kyrgyz journalist based in Geneva. She has worked for BBC radio, RFE/RL, IWPR, and as editor in chief of the independent newspaper «De Facto.» The views expressed in this commentary are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Источник: http://www.rferl.org/content/central_asian_dictators_belarus_egypt_mubarak/2306999.html

On 11 February, the Tajik Media Alliance held a forum in Dushanbe to discuss the contemporary threats to the freedom of speech and development of the media. The forum held in the National Press Center was supported by the Open Society Institute’s office in Tajikistan.

About 50 media managers and journalists from all regions of Tajikistan and representatives of international organizations accredited in Dushanbe and public officials took part in the forum.

Secretary general of the Media Alliance Khurshedjon Niyozov told the Avesta news agency that participants of the forum have discussed the existing problems in the Tajik media environment. “The time has come to develop mechanisms to neutralize these problems and consolidate the media community to better protect our professional rights and interests”.

The Media Alliance was created in 2005. At present, it unites the leading Tajik media, both printing and electronic.

www.avesta.tj

Tajikistan’s main opposition party accused the government today of violating civil rights and neglecting its people.

The Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan, the only officially registered Islamic party in Central Asia, said in a statement that corrupt, authoritarian rule has eroded democracy and «national unity.»

The party issued its statement after unknown assailants attacked Hikmatullo Saifullozoda, editor of its newspaper, ‘Najot,» and outspoken government critic, on Monday.

The ruling People’s Democratic Party denied the accusations.

It said Tajikistan, ruled since 1992 by President Imomali Rakhmon, had free media and eight functioning political parties.

The Islamic Revival Party formed the core of the alliance that fought government troops in a civil war from 1992 to 1997.

It now occupies the only two opposition-held seats in parliament.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik_islam_politics/2302447.html

DUSHANBE — A Tajik court has found an independent weekly guilty of libel and ordered it to pay the Agriculture Ministry damages over an article that accused the ministry of corruption, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports.

District court Judge Dilorom Abdurahimova ruled in Dushanbe on February 8 that «Millat» must pay 1,500 somons ($333) to the ministry in moral damages and make an official apology to it. The trial had lasted more than one year.

At the end of 2009, «Millat» wrote an article about corruption in Tajikistan in which it quoted the country’s Anticorruption Agency and some members of the parliament as calling the Agriculture Ministry the most corrupt entity in Tajikistan.

The ministry said the article was libelous and asked for 1 million somons from «Millat» as compensation.

An Agriculture Ministry representative said on February 8 it was satisfied because the court ruled the newspaper must publicly apologize for the corruption allegation in the article, as well as pay for moral damages caused by the article.

But «Millat» lawyer Junaid Ibodov said the court’s ruling was unjustified, because the newspaper had quoted officials responsible for fighting corruption and had official statistics that showed corruption levels at the ministry.

Ibodov said «Millat» would appeal the ruling to the Dushanbe city court.

Akbar Sattor, the head of Tajikistan’s Union of Journalists, said on February 8 that the court ruling was made to put pressure on journalists.

«Millat» chief editor Adolat Mirzo said the court decision would not change the weekly’s determination to fight corruption.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik_newspaper_guilty_libel/2304365.html

JOINT STATEMENT
By the Union of Journalists of Tajikistan and the National Association of Independent Mass Media
31 January 2011

The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT) and the Tajik National Association of Mass Media (NANSMIT) express their concern in relation to persecution of journalists who use their right to expression, which contradicts the standards of the national and international law.
On 26 January 2011, the Asia Plus weekly published a legal notice of claim by the head of the Organized Crime Control Unit of the Tajik Interior Ministry Anvar Tagoimurodov, who states that the newspaper has disseminated slanderous information thus affecting the reputation of the law enforcement agency. The official demands a compensation from Asia Plus in the amount of 1 million Somoni (about $225 thousand).
The reason for the claim was an article y Ramziya irzobekova “Investigation or inquisition?” published in Asia Plus on 21.12.2010. The article contained information about tortures against persons on remand in the law enforcement units of Sughd province.
Tagoimurodov states that “correspondents write their stories based on quotes of people who are biased, and these stories are slandering and insulting”. He also alleged in his statement that Mirzobekova and other journalists who were covering the terrorist attack in Khujand (in September 2010) “personally knew those who committed the attack; and they were aware of the criminals’ evil intentions, and, probably, had relations with them”.
He editor of Asia Plus Marat Mamadshoev called this statement of the law enforcement official accusing journalists of helping terrorists “outrageous”. Ramziya Mirzobekova has been repeatedly invited to the Prosecutor General’s office – allegedly for clarification of facts in her article; however, the officials are not really interested in lerning about the sources of information. The correspondent is incriminated in committing grave crimes; but she is not allowed to apply to a lawyer. This is a violation of the legislation; namely, the clauses prohibiting the disclosure of names and sources of information.
According to Article 19 of the International Pact on Human and Political Rights, which Tajikistan signed in 1999, citizens are guaranteed their right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek for and disseminate any information or ideas, regardless of the state boundaries – verbally or in written form, by means of printing or in artistic forms.
According to Article 30 of Tajikistan’s Constitution, citizens are guaranteed the freedom of speech, printing and the use of mass media; the state censorship and persecutions are prohibited.
The growing number of persecutions of journalists in Tajikistan and the court cases prove that the final goal of the complainants is not to “rectify mistakes”, but to shut down journalists. The pressure upon Tajikistan’s independent media might lead to serious restrictions of the freedom of speech in self-censorship, which has a negative impact on the image of Tajikistan in the international arena.
UJT and NANSMIT call the Prosecutor General’s office and other law enforcement bodies on investigating this case in order to stop any violations of constitutional rights in the country, in particular, the right to expression and access to information.

A. Sattorov, Chairman of UJT
N. Karshibaev, Chairman of NANSMIT

www.nansmit.tj

In January 2011 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 20 reports. Eleven of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; seven 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 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

January, 10
Kulyab city, Khatlon province

The Khatlon province authorities have opened an information-analytical unit in the administrative center, the city of Kulyab. The unit will coordinate activities of the media in ten districts of Khatlon province.

The unit will be headed by Temursho Faizaliev, correspondent of the Sadoi Mardum (Voice of People) weekly in Khatlon province. The creation of the media unit is based upon the necessity of covering big territories in the province.

According to NANSMIT monitoring service, the 10 districts of Khatlon with the population of 1 million have access to 10 newspapers (printing bodies of local administrations); two TV stations – one government and one private – broadcast in Khatlon.

13 January
Sukhrob Sharipov, Strategic Research Center under the President’s office

“The Party of Islamic Renaissance of Tajikistan (PIRT) is hardly more popular than the Communist Party of Tajikistan. However, our journalists give preference to PIRT thus ignoring the opinions of the other seven political parties”, — said Sukhrob Sharipov, director of the Strategic Research Center under the Office of the President.

The director of the state think tank considers that the government and the media pay way too much attention to PIRT. “Parliamentary elections last year showed the real popularity of PIRT – only two representatives got their seats in the parliament”.

Sharipov states that Tajikistan should not follow the suit of Islamic countries. “The Islamic states nowadays are the most undeveloped. We have chosen the democratic way and must go along this way. We can keep on going only if we stick to the democratic, secular and legal orientation”, — he said.

13 January
Usmon Solekhov, head of the PDPT public relations unit, Dushanbe

“The People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT) has no problems in relations with the media”, — said Usmon Solekhov, head of the PDPT public relations unit. The statement was made in response to the speech of Sukhrob Sharipov, director of the government think tank who criticized the Tajik media for paying excessive attention to the Islamic Renaissance Party and ignoring the other political forces in the country.

Solekhov said that PDPT has its own printing body – the Minbari Khalk weekly; and the party remains open for all media, including private ones.

“In certain cases, private newspapers refuse to publish articles and interviews prepared by our party, but this is their absolute right”, — he added.

Solekhov considers that certain political parties are passive in their relations with the media, and this is their own fault; journalists have nothing to do with that.

14 January
Asadullo Rakhmonov, Broadcasting Committee under the government, Dushanbe

According to Asadullo Rakhmonov, head of the Tajik State TV and Radio Committee under the government, ten applicants were denied TV broadcasting license in 2010.

According to Rakhmonov, the reason for denial is the “lack of registration documents”, i.e. the applicants failed to present the whole package of required papers. The official added that “most of those who want to create a TV company do not have sources of financing and proper documents confirming compliance of their equipment to existing technical standards”.

14 January
Asadullo Rakhmonov, Broadcasting Committee under the government, Dushanbe

Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan cannot settle the issue of joint TV broadcasting. According to the REGNUM news agency, Iran has failed to deliver the promised broadcasting equipment.

Asadullo Rakhmonov, chairman of the Tajik broadcasting body under the government told the media that the broadcasting studio in Dushanbe is ready, but the Iranian counterparts delay the delivery of equipment, and Afghanistan ignores meetings to discuss the issue.

Prior to that, the Iranian ambassador in Dushanbe told journalists that the constant putting-off of the launching of the joint TV channel is caused by the position of the Afghan colleagues. Although the ambassador did not get into details, experts say that the Afghan counterparts are not disgruntled over the name of the new broadcasting enterprise – “Persian-language TV Channel” – saying that most of Afghanistani are Pashtu for whom the Persian language is not their mother tongue.

Experts also say that the parties cannot agree on the broadcasting schedule, contents of TV programs and the appearance of TV anchors. Iran and Afghanistan are Islamic states, and Tajikistan is a secular one.

The decision on creation of a joint Persian-language TV channel was reached in July 2006 in Tehran between the presidents of Tajikistan and Iran. In March 2008, at a tripartite meeting in Dushanbe, Afghanistan joined the initiative. It was also agreed that the broadcasting studio will be located in the Tajik capital.

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

14 January
Freedom House, USA

The international human rights watchdog Freedom House published its annual report where Tajikistan is rated in the category of “non-free” countries.

In 2011, Freedom House defined the freedom index in 194 countries and 14 territorial units. The rate scale is from 1 to 7. There are three dimensions of freedom for the countries: free, partially free and non-free. The free countries are given the index 1.

Tajikistan gained 6 points in the rating of political rights, i.e. it belongs to the category of countries with no political freedoms. In the rating of freedom of society Tajikistan gained 5 points.

Freedom House indicates the overall deterioration for five years in a row, hitting the all time high in the 40 years of the ratings’ history.

The most undemocratic are North Korea, Turkmenistan, Libya, Uzbekistan, Sudan and Iran.

Among the former Soviet countries, the Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Kyrgyz Republic are named “partially free states”. The “free states” are Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have belonged to the category of “non-free countries”.

Freedom House has been involved in annual ratings of civil and political freedoms since 1972.

January 27
Bozor Sobir, Tajik poet, Dushanbe

“The Tajik mass media are not free; it cannot bring any benefit to the people”, — said Bozor Sobir, a popular Tajik poet. (Interview with the Millat weekly, #04, 26.02.2011).

“The Tajik press outlets publish everything – all kinds of jokes and gibberish… The “existing” freedom of expression is only for the benefit of spiritual leaders and mosques”.

Bozor Sobir noted that there is a necessity to introduce censorship in printing media and book publishing. “Dushanbe is overstaffed with useless books; even the authors don’t read them. Those books cannot do any good to the people. Unless measures are taken, this mess will keep going…”

3. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

January, 04
The Committee of 29 September, Dushanbe

The Coalition of the Tajik media organizations recently formed for protection of professional rights and journalists – The Committee of 29 September – has declared its voluntary dissolution in connection with main tasks.

In October 2010, a group of media managers, representatives of media and public organizations and particular activists created a media coalition, which was named “The Committee of 29 September”. This name is related to the date of the beginning of the unprecedented pressing of the Tajik independent mass media.

On 29 September 2010, the authorities blocked access to two local and three foreign web sites (Avesta.Tj; Tojnews.Tj and Tjknews.com; Ferghana.Ru; Centrasia.Ru accordingly). A few days later, the Tax Committee officials accompanied by the state TV crews held inspections of all private printing houses countrywide, after which the latter refused to provide their services to three private newspapers – Farazh, Nigokh, and Paykon. These actions were also accompanied by statements of the Minister of Defense accusing the private media of provocations and “jetting a crisis” upon the background of a complicated military-political situation. There was another particular statement about censoring of the contents of all periodicals prior to printing.

Members of the Committee promised to coordinate their activities and undertake all possible legal actions in order to return the situation to the previous state and terminate censorship.

It should be noted that the main participants of the Committee – representatives of the four blocked online sources and one association, NANSMIT – have undertaken joint actions to accomplish the tasks. These actions have resulted in the following:

— a statement addressed to the head of the state and his direct subordinates;
— a statement addressed to the international human rights bodies and foreign governments;
— a wide-scale public information campaign focused on the problems in the area of the freedom of speech (development of a web blog; social network pages; launching of banners; a series of interviews in foreign online media and TV);
— preparation of claims and legal actions against the government bodies exercising and supporting pressure against the independent media;
— negotiations with parties involved.

These actions have caused an international resonance and essential feedback in the Tajik government and non-governmental organizations. Gradually, the web sites were unblocked; the newspapers Nigokh and Farazh resumed their publications.

By 1 January 2011, the Committee fully accomplished its tasks. The attempts to limit the media freedom are neutralized by the Committee; the local media work in normal mode. Thus, the Committee decided to declare its voluntary dissolution.
Along with that, the media and other organizations, the former members of the coalition henceforth, jointly and individually, will keep protecting the indispensable rights of citizens on access to information. The web site of the coalition – http://tjk29.livejpurnal.com and the e-mail address – komitet29@gmail.com will be valid for further activities and consolidation of the media community to keep informing the public about the problems and the progress of the parties, former members of the coalition, as well as about the monitoring of rights in the media.
The created coalition, its success and victories have proven that the media community is a serious public force able to influence the processes of democratic development and civil rights.

January, 20
The Tajik Media Alliance, Dushanbe

The Tajik Media Alliance called on the resigned staff of the Vetecherny Dushanbe weekly and the owner of the newspaper to hold negotiations and find consensus in the conflict.

“The conflict may result in idleness of our colleagues who must keep covering the ongoing events in the country and perform their professional duties”, — said Khurshed Niyozov, the secretary of the Media Alliance.

On 19 January, the whole staff of Vetcherny Dushanbe made a statement of resignation in view of “rude violations by the owner of the newspaper against the personnel”.

In his turn, Akbarali Sattorov, director general of the Charkhi Gardun Ltd, which the newspaper belongs to stated that the journalists’ actions is sabotage.

The Media Alliance is ready to play the role of a mediator and peacemaker in this conflict. Niyozov added that this incident may have a negative impact on the recent successes and achievements of the Tajik mass media.

January, 28
All media, Kurgan-Tube

Independent journalists in the city of Kurgan-Tube organized a press club. This public organization will hold monthly meetings to discuss the issues of professional development, legal support and analyze publications in the local media.

II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA

1. Accusation of libel and insult

January, 6
Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov, correspondent, Nuri Zindagi weekly, Khujand, Sughd province

The International human rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov, a newspaper reporter who has been detained arbitrarily by prosecutors in Khujand, in the northern province of Sughd, since 23 November.

Ismoilov was arrested at the behest of the regional prosecutor’s office one day after an article he wrote about its alleged corrupt and irregular practices was published in the newspaper Istikol. His detention is clearly designed to stop him working as regional correspondent.

He has often criticized the local authorities during the three years that he has worked as a Khujand-based reporter for various newspapers including the national weekly Nuri Zindagi. It is regrettable that the only response from the local authorities to his criticism it to arrest him. It is doubtful that regional prosecutor Anvar Kanoat’s investigation is impartial.

Ismoilov is charged under various articles of the criminal code with libel, insulting an official, inciting religious and racial hatred and blackmail. Nuriddin Karshiboyev, the head of the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (NANSMIT), says he is being prosecuted solely because of what he wrote.

The trial is due to take place at the end of January and the Sughd regional court has ordered that Ismoilov be detained throughout the pre-trial investigation. Nuri Zindagi editor Djumo Mirzo has received a letter from the prosecutor requesting copies of all the articles that Ismoilov has written for the newspaper.

Reporters Without Borders calls for Ismoilov’s release pending the start of the trial. It also supports NANSMIT’s call for a fair trial and respect for the right to an independent defence.

The situation of the media and access to information has still not returned to normal after the crackdown carried out by the Tajik authorities in September (http://en.rsf.org/tadjikistan-after-using-civil-war-spectre-to-15-10-2010,38552.html). Several news websites are still experiencing hosting problems and some newspapers, including Faraj and Paikhon, are still being harassed and having problems finding a printer.

2. Impediments to professional activities

January, 21
Khosiyat Komilova, K Plus TV, Khujand, Sughd province

On 21 January 2011, the law enforcement agencies managed to prevent a terrorist attack in Khujand. Two suspiciously looking vehicles stuffed with hand-made bombs were parked near the premises of the Interior Department.

Khosiyat Komilova and Ekhson Ibragimov, two journalists from the local TV company K Plus made some shooting for a news program; however, upon their return to the TV station, they were visited by two law enforcement officers who invited the journalists for clarification of “certain details” related to the evacuation of local residents.

“When we left the office, we saw a police car and six armed policemen. We were placed in the vehicle and delivered to the Khujand city Interior Department”, — told Komilova.

The journalists were reproached for filming of “secret objects”. The policemen said the journalists had no right for shooting and sent their technician to the TV station to destroy the filmed meterials.

Komilova complains that the law enforcement bodies in Sughd province are reluctant to cooperate with the media. “We have to go through a number of offices to get permission for information”, — she said.

The incident with the K Plus is not the first of this kind. In September 2010, the Sughd province law enforcement servicemen detained journalists working for the local and international media and confiscated their equipment. A journalist from the Asia TV & Radio company was beaten by the police; they threw his photo camera in the river.

January, 27
Abdunasim Rajab, freelance photo journalist, Dushanbe

On 27 January, during a training photo session, the police detained Abdunasim Rajab, a student of the Tajik National University.

Rajab complains that the policemen treated him like a criminal.

The student was performing a task filming in the streets of Dushanbe. After the detention by the traffic police, he was delivered to the Shohmansur district police station where he was charged with filming police officers. The student was forced to give his fingerprints; all pictures in the camera were deleted.

3. Ungrounded limitation of access to information

January, 13
All media, Dushanbe

Tajik journalists are not satisfied with the quality of quarterly press conferences conducted by government institutions. (Farazh weekly, #2, 12.01.2011).

Zarina Khushvakht, correspondent of the BBC Persian service says that it is nice to attend quarterly press conferences, where one can get answers to questions; on the other hand, when an urgent response is needed, bureaucrats send the journalist to the forthcoming press conference, saying that “right now, they cannot share any information”.

“All press conferences are conducted in accordance with established standard – officials spend 30-40 minutes telling the audience about their work”, — says Nazarali Pirnazarov, correspondent of CA-News. — “Some officials go beyond the limits of decency saying rude things; others restrain from comments as if they do not have their own opinion”.

Abduazim Abduvakhobov, correspondent of Imruz News says that a lot depends on the journalists’ talents and skills.

4. Impediments in dissemination of printing products

January 27
All media, Dushanbe)

The Asia Plus weekly published complaints from street vendors selling newspapers. (#07, 26.02.2011).

Street vendors say that the police push them away from public places where they usually sell newspapers saying that it is allowed to sell media products only in the newsstands (kiosks).

The mayor’s office press secretary Shavkat Saidov told the media that the police are acting on the basis of the city administration’s errand.

The mayor’s office instruction is quite controversial. On the one hand, selling of printing products in “inappropriate places” is prohibited; on the other hand, the officials say that nobody banned street vendors from selling newspapers.

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Protection of honor, dignity and business reputation

January, 24
First TV Channel, Dushanbe

The mayor’s office in Dushanbe accused the journalists of the First State TV Channel of lack of professionalism and preconception.

According to Shavkat Saidov, the city administration’s press secretary, the complaint is caused by a series of TV stories about preparation of municipal communal services to the winter season.

January, 27
Asia Plus weekly, Dushanbe

The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT) and the Tajik National Association of Mass Media (NANSMIT) express their concern in relation to persecution of journalists who use their right to expression, which contradicts the standards of the national and international law.

On 26 January 2011, the Asia Plus weekly published a legal notice of claim by the head of the Organized Crime Control Unit of the Tajik Interior Ministry Anvar Tagoimurodov, who states that the newspaper has disseminated slanderous information thus affecting the reputation of the law enforcement agency. The official demands a compensation from Asia Plus in the amount of 1 million Somoni (about $225 thousand).
The reason for the claim was an article y Ramziya irzobekova “Investigation or inquisition?” published in Asia Plus on 21.12.2010. The article contained information about tortures against persons on remand in the law enforcement units of Sughd province.

Tagoimurodov states that “correspondents write their stories based on quotes of people who are biased, and these stories are slandering and insulting”. He also alleged in his statement that Mirzobekova and other journalists who were covering the terrorist attack in Khujand (in September 2010) “personally knew those who committed the attack; and they were aware of the criminals’ evil intentions, and, probably, had relations with them”.
He editor of Asia Plus Marat Mamadshoev called this statement of the law enforcement official accusing journalists of helping terrorists “outrageous”. Ramziya Mirzobekova has been repeatedly invited to the Prosecutor General’s office – allegedly for clarification of facts in her article; however, the officials are not really interested in lerning about the sources of information. The correspondent is incriminated in committing grave crimes; but she is not allowed to apply to a lawyer. This is a violation of the legislation; namely, the clauses prohibiting the disclosure of names and sources of information.
According to Article 19 of the International Pact on Human and Political Rights, which Tajikistan signed in 1999, citizens are guaranteed their right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek for and disseminate any information or ideas, regardless of the state boundaries – verbally or in written form, by means of printing or in artistic forms.

According to Article 30 of Tajikistan’s Constitution, citizens are guaranteed the freedom of speech, printing and the use of mass media; the state censorship and persecutions are prohibited.

The growing number of persecutions of journalists in Tajikistan and the court cases prove that the final goal of the complainants is not to “rectify mistakes”, but to shut down journalists. The pressure upon Tajikistan’s independent media might lead to serious restrictions of the freedom of speech in self-censorship, which has a negative impact on the image of Tajikistan in the international arena.
UJT and NANSMIT call the Prosecutor General’s office and other law enforcement bodies on investigating this case in order to stop any violations of constitutional rights in the country, in particular, the right to expression and access to information.

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

28 January 2011, Brussels/London/Madrid: 131 non-governmental organisations along with 56 investigative journalists, academics, and access to information campaigners from 48 countries in Europe and beyond are calling on Members of the European Parliament to act urgently to protect EU transparency rules.1 The call comes as the European Union engages in a review of its access to documents regulation that could result in freedom of information being severely curtailed across Europe.

Proposals put forward by the European Commission would substantially reduce the number of public documents by denying access to e-mails and other documents sent within the EU that are not “formally” transmitted, and by allowing individual Member States greater powers to keep their communications with the EU secret.2 The proposals, which have been criticised by the EU Ombudsman,3ignore the principle of openness enshrined in the founding treaties of European Union and would roll back rulings by the European Court of Justice which support a wider right of access to documents.

The campaign, coordinated by environmental lawyers ClientEarth, human rights organisation Access Info Europe, and Greenpeace, is urging MEPs in the LIBE Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to vote against the Commission’s proposals. A debate on the issue will take place in Parliament on Tuesday 1 February 2011. Leading human rights and journalists’ organisations including Transparency International, Global Witness, Article 19, Statewatch and the World Press Freedom Committee have already signed the letter to MEPs. It will remain open to signatories until the vote.

James Thornton, CEO of ClientEarth, comments:
“Access to information is fundamental to democracy.If these proposals are allowed to become law opaque decision-making will be legitimatised. Governments and private companies will be able to exert increasing influence, confident that the European Union will keep their lobbying secret.”

Helen Darbishire, Executive Director of Access Info Europe, comments:
“Everyone in Europe has the right to know what their elected representatives are doing with the power entrusted to them and how the public’s money is being spent. 0ur representatives should be fighting to extend the rights of citizens, not reduce them. They should be calling for a stronger protection of a right of access to EU information, and should reject out of hand this attempt to limit the existing access to documents rules.”

Daniel Simons, Legal Counsel Campaigns and Actions at Greenpeace International, comments:
“The European Union is already not a role model on transparency, with many requests for documents processed late or rejected on questionable grounds, and these proposals will make matters worse. EU citizens and the rest of the world expect the EU to set a high standard, as the wide support for this letter from inside and beyond the EU shows.”

Access Info Europe and ClientEarth have also both been forced to file separate lawsuits against the Council of the European Union for access to documents concerning the proposed reforms. Access Info Europe’s case concerns access to a document which would show the positions taken by member states during negotiations.4 ClientEarth’s lawsuit concerns access to a legal document that gives information about the decision making process behind this review.5

Notes to Editor
1. Open Letter: MEPs called upon to protect EU transparency:
http://www.access-info.org/documents/Access_Docs/Advancing/EU/Letter_MEPs_28_Jan_2011.pdf
2. ClientEarth Briefing: Recast of Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European institutions’ documents. http://www.clientearth.org/briefing-recast-of-regulation-10492001-regarding-public-access-to-european-parliamentcouncil-and-commissions-documents
3. Ombudsman Press Release: “Ombudsman warns that citizens’ right of access to documents is at risk”, 02 June 2008. http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/241/html.bookmark
4. Access Info v Council (case T-233/09, see http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2009:205:0040:0041:EN:PDF and http://www.access-info.org/en/european-union). A hearing before the General Court was held in October 2010 and a judgement is expected in the Spring of 2011.
5. ClientEarth vs Council transparency lawsuit: http://www.clientearth.org/clientearth-vs-council-transparency-lawsuit
For further information contact:

Katherine Sladden | Communications officer | t. +44 (0)203 0305954 or m. +44(0)7538418460 | ksladden@clientearth.org

Helen Darbishire | Executive Director, Access Info | m. + 34 667 685 319 | helen@access-info.org

Access Info Europe
Access Info Europe is a human rights organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting the right of access to information in Europe and globally as a tool for defending civil liberties and human rights, for facilitating public participation in decision-making, and for holding governments accountable. www.access-info.org

ClientEarth
ClientEarth is an environmental law organisation working in the public interest. Based in Europe and operating globally, we address issues including deforestation, energy efficiency, biodiversity protection, and the transparency and enforcement of environmental law. www.clientearth.org

www.clientearth.org

Deadline:07/02/11
Internews Network in Tajikistan /USAID
LocationTajikistan

Journalism and nonprofit organizations in Tajikistan can apply to a small grants program that aims to improve journalists’ access to information about media law.

Grants are given to organize trainings, seminars, public hearings and other events in the field of media law.

For more information (in Russian), click here: http://ijnet.org/opportunities/small-grants-program-announced-tajikistan

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/small-grants-program-announced-tajikistan

Dear partners,

We would like to share with you good news. Radio Vatan has restarted broadcasting in the Khatlon region of Tajikistan.

Radio Vatan is the only independent radio station that is currently broadcasting in Khatlon.

We also continue the project, together with our partners and donors related to the social and economical situation in Khatlon.

For cooperation and advertising issues that include PR-programs, social and information programs and media campaigns in Dushanbe and the Khatlon region please contact the General Director of Radio Vatan Ms. Vera Kulakova-Brannerud at email verafromvatan@mail.ru or office telephone +992 (37) 2231106

More information about us: /www.vatan.tj/

— Radio Vatan is a News and Entertainment station based in Dushanbe and Khatlon.

— Radio Vatan is the official Tajikistan partner of Deutsche Welle and Deutsche Welle Academy and the official partner to Voice of Russia.

— Radio Vatan is a member of Journalist Association «Media-Alliance», and member of International Association of radio broadcasting Companies.

— Vatan is the only radio station in Tajikistan to broadcast news every day from 8am to 6pm on the half-hour alternating between Russian and Tajik languages. In addition, its informational programming includes a weekly news analysis talk show.

— Radio Vatan is an organizer of concert events in Tajikistan such pop stars as Andy (USA), Ingrid (Italy), Katya Lel (Russia), Yulduz Usmanova, Sevinc, Firouz Dzhumaniezova (Uzbekistan).

Yours sincerely,

Vera Kulakova-Brannerud,
General Director
Radio Vatan

www.vatan.tj