Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the impunity enjoyed by those who attacked  Moscow-based Russian journalist Elena Milashina during a visit to Chechnya earlier this month and have continued to threaten her, and calls for a transparent and effective investigation by the federal authorities. Читать далее Moscow reporter files complaint about attack in Chechnya, threats →

Authorities in Tajikistan must take urgent steps to ensure that independent journalist, Daler Sharipov, who is currently being held in pre-trial detention in the State Committee for National Security (SCNS), is protected from torture and other ill-treatment and released, Amnesty International, International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) said in a statement today. Читать далее Tajikistan: Fear for safety of detained journalist →

Tajik human rights activists and a number of journalists urged authorities on Monday to release their colleague Daler Sharifov who was detained last week on extremism charges.

As a freelancer, Sharifov, 32, wrote often about politics and criticized Tajik authorities. He was detained last Tuesday and two days later a court placed him in pretrial detention for two months, saying he was suspected of «inciting ethnic, racial, and religious discord.»

The Prosecution Office said in a statement that Sharifov had published a brochure that was based on the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood — a transnational organization labeled in many countries as a terrorist organization. Tajikistan banned the organization in 2006.

But the accusations are seen by many as an excuse for suppressing freedom of expression.

Eight NGOs and dozens of journalists signed a petition on Monday demanding his release, reminding that the country’s Constitution “guarantees freedom of speech and press and prohibits state censorship and prosecution for criticism.”

“UN agencies have repeatedly recommended that Tajikistan immediately stop the practice of suppressing freedom of speech and expression in the country,” the petition said.

The signatories noted that the arrest came right before parliamentary and presidential elections and that it “will cause serious damage to the international image of Tajikistan.”

The European Congress of Tajik Journalists and Bloggers called Sharifov’s detention illegal and noted that he has used his extensive knowlege of Islam to condemn religious extremism and terrorism.

“By publishing this book (“Mohammad and Terrorism”) he was about to contribute to the efforts of Tajik intellectuals to prevent and combat religious radicalism. We are sure that public scrutiny of his book bears this out,” the statement said.

https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/11553-tajik-activists-call-for-the-release-of-independent-journalist?fbclid=IwAR3W15aVbXnOhCLGNBGyvEs6oO_1eohWWEH0QC2oKRyBXAAkXmkeCFVMg_c

DUSHANBE — Independent Tajik journalist Daler Sharifov, who has been held by police for more than two days, has been arrested on a charge of inciting public discord. Читать далее Independent Tajik Journalist Arrested For Allegedly Inciting Discord →

By Interior Minister’s order Nusratullo Mahmadzoda, who had previously served at the Interior Ministry press center, has been appointed to head the Interior Ministry press center, replacing Colonel Umarjon Emomali.   Читать далее Spokesman for the interior ministry replaced →

As French President Emmanuel Macron prepares to receive his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rakhmon, who is to participate in the Paris Peace Forum, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on Europe’s leaders to condition their relations with Tajikistan on respect for press freedom. Читать далее Tajikistan’s autocratic leader visits Paris →

Читать далее Belarus: Tajik journalist faces unlawful extradition →

A popular news website in Tajikistan, Asia-Plus, has been blocked in Russia and is barely accessible in Tajikistan. Читать далее Popular Tajik News Website Blocked In Russia, Barely Accesible In Tajikistan →

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its World Press Freedom Index for 2019 ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3. This year’s RSF index ranked all the Central Asian states, with the exception of Kyrgyzstan, among the worst offenders for press freedom. It is not the first time that has been true, but this year, for the first time, Turkmenistan actually ranked dead last in 180th place, dropping two positions from last year. Читать далее Majlis Podcast: In Central Asia, An Unfree Press Continues To Reign →

Читать далее Blocking websites benefits no one in Tajikistan →