Union of Journalists of Tajikistan
National Association of Independent Mass Media, Tajikistan
Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law
Joint Statement
The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan, the Tajik National Association of Independent Mass Media and the non-governmental organization Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law condemn the beating of Khurshed Niyozov (Khurshedi Atovullo), chief editor of the Farazh weekly by unknown assailants. This is the second attack upon Tajik journalists during this year, which raises serious concerns over physical safety among media professionals. IN February 2011, chief editor of the Najot weekly Khikmatullo Saifullozoda was beaten by unknown attackers.
On 31 August, approximately at 12:30 p.m., on the territory of Zaravshon district in Dushanbe, chief editor of the newspaper Farazh and secretary general of the Tajik media alliance Khurshed Niyozov was attacked by unknown persons. Two other persons accompanying the journalist also were attacked. Niyozov and his companions applied to the police in Sino district of the capital.
It would be inappropriate to state that the attack is related to Niyzov’s professional activities. However, the attack on any citizen of Tajikistan on the eve of the 20-th anniversary of the national independence upon the background of court hearings against the Tajik media raises a real concern among media professionals.
UJT, NANSMIT and HRB insist on a prompt and thorough investigation of the incident and bringing the criminals to responsibility. We stress that Khurshed Niyozov (Khurshedi Atovullo) is one of the leading Tajik journalists. Advocating resolution of any conflicts in the media environment within the frameworks of international and domestic laws, we also stress the necessity of guarantying safety of Tajik nationals by the law enforcement agencies – since personal physical safety is a fundamental constitutional right, as well as the right on free expression.
Akbarali Sattarov,
Chairman of UJT
Nargis Zokirova
Director of HRB
Nuriddin Karshiboev
Chairman of NANSMIT
Dushanbe, 1 September 2011
www.nansmit.tj