Press Release Regarding Pressures Against Single Candidate from Coalition Rahmatillo Zoirov

August 5, 2013

The National Movement of Tajikistan asks all citizens, national organizations and international institutions to voice concern and objection regarding targeted pressures of the government against Rahmatillo Zoirov, chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan and potential single candidate from coalition of parties in upcoming presidential elections.

According to a reliable source at the moment the General Prosecutor’s Office in collaboration with the State Committee on National Security is intending to open a criminal case against Mr Zoirov solely with the purpose of creating legal barrier for his participation in elections.

Hence, on August 2 Rahmatillo Zoirov was already invited to the General Prosecutor’s Office for questioning on various issues. Today he was called to this government office again and asked to provide written responses to their questions, including explaining legal aspects of his recent statement naming last year’s military operation in Khorugh an act of “state terrorism” which left hundreds of people dead and injured.

It should be noted based on country’s laws any citizen with pending criminal case is not allowed to be nominated as candidate in elections. Opening a criminal case without any substance just a month before formal announcement of Rahmatillo Zoirov as single candidate from coalition of parties demonstrates the fact that current government is afraid of democratic processes and does not want to see any opposition in elections. Additionally, according to a reliable source the case against Mr Zoirov will most likely be dropped right after elections and it is another proof of using state powers by a particular group as a tool to promote dictatorship regime.

Press Release Regarding Arrest of Zayd Saidov, Creation of New Coalition and Withholding Financial Aid to Rahmon’s Government

 

Press Release, April 14, 2013Today we call on all citizens, political and public organizations of Tajikistan as well as active members of the global community to condemn the government of President Rahmon for its illegal actions and threats against civil society leaders of the country carried out in the last few weeks.

Specifically, actions taken by Anticorruption Agency against Zayd Saidov, a former Minister of Industry and successful businessman following his announcement of initiative to create a political party called New Tajikistan clearly went beyond authority granted by laws to this government office and were obvious abuse of state powers to intimidate citizens and discourage people’s involvement in political processes in the country.

Mr Saidov was arrested at Dushanbe airport on May 19, 2013 without proper court order or annulment of his immunity status as representative of local legislature which was in total violation of laws of the republic. It is third week since he is being held in custody on claims of polygamy which is a matter handled in court and until its final decision he should be free.

Additionally, members of newly established Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society (CDCS), including its Committee for Defence of Zayd Saidov, have come under targetted questioning and threats by security officials last week. CDCS which is comprised of leaders of political parties and movements, media and public associations, and well-known individuals in society asserts that all its activity is within laws and citizens’ rights in safe and peacful atmosphere should be exercised and upheld.

Letter to President of Ukraine Regarding Abdumalik Abdullojonov

Government of the Republic of Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine

Dear Mr President Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych:

The National Movement of Tajikistan expresses concern about the arrest of Abdumalik Abdullojonov in Kyiv on February 5, 2013 with possible extradition to the Republic of Tajikistan and asks for your impartial oversight of this case.

Mr Abdullojonov was the former prime minister of the Republic of Tajikistan and after participating in presidential elections of 1994 left Tajikistan under pressures and threats. The Government of Tajikistan accuses him for organized crimes pursuing his arrest, but Mr Abdullojonov has been accepted to the United States and lived there for past years within regulations of the political asylum case.

We believe Mr Abdullojonov is being pursued for his political activities and in general, current government of the country is launching targeted attacks against all opposition parties and movements on the eve of upcoming presidential elections in November of this year. Therefore, we strongly urge you to withhold from extraditing him to the hands of Tajik officials as it will result in unfair trial, imminent tortures and death of this citizen.

Letter to President of UAE Regarding the Case of Umarali Quvvatov

Federal Government of the
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dear Mr President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan:

The National Movement of Tajikistan expresses deep concern about the arrest of Tajik citizen Umarali Quvvatov in Dubai on December 23, 2012 at the request of Government of Tajikistan.

We believe Mr Quvvatov has fallen under targeted attack because of his political activities related to Group 24 which is one of the opposition movements to authoritarian government of Tajikistan. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to withhold from delivering him to hands of Tajik officials as it will result in imminent tortures and death of this person.

There is a sufficient proof that charges against him are fabricated and have solely political motives and ask you to assist in granting him political asylum and his safe transition to a country of his choice.

We expect Government of United Arab Emirates to respect it’s obligations made under international human rights laws and regulations and demonstrate commitment to democratic values and processes.

The National Movement of Tajikistan is a political organization dedicated to promoting democratic transformations and ensuring transparent presidential elections in Tajikistan in 2013.

We appreciate your cooperation in advance and look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Leadership
National Movement of Tajikistan
www.junbish2013.org (taj)

http://www.junbish.wordpress.com (eng)

Letter of Request to President Rahmon

Dear Mr President Rahmon:

The Republic of Tajikistan was pronounced sovereign, democratic, law-based, secular, and unitary state on September 9, 1991. Since then many events happened some of which had strengthened our country’s democracy and sovereignty while some have diminished it largely.

The Peace Accord signed between the Government and UTO in 1997 was certainly a major good step for our country and the nation recognizes important role that you and the other side played this achievement.

However, ongoing persecutions of opposition parties, suppression of independent media, torture of prisoners, abuse of law and courts, widespread corruption, unqualified people in government, insufficient investment in education and health, lack of job creation, massive labor migration to Russia, ceding territory to China, electricity shortage, fraud at major state companies like Talko, tolling roads, increased dependence of foreign goods, high inflation and many other issues have in fact decreased quality of livelihood for most people in Tajikistan over these years and has ripped off new generation’s dreams for better future.

The result is that Tajikistan still ranks the poorest of 15 former Soviet republics, stands 154 place in corruption index, 127 in human development index, 189 in GDP per capita and was recently named as a failed state.

Above all, despite the Article 4, Section 65 of the Constitution that says, “No one person can be elected president more than two times” you have participated in elections of 1994, 1999 and 2006 which made you officially president three times already.

Therefore, for the sake of democracy and development that our nation longs and deserves with dignity and pride we ask you to withhold from participation in upcoming presidential elections in 2013.

It might be your best contribution, but not the last on in promoting genuine democracy and growth in Tajikistan. We hope you will engage with your party in ensuring transparent and free elections that will make people proud and pave the way for more accountable and professional government to better serve needs of our nation.

The National Movement of Tajikistan is established with the purpose of promoting democratic processes and ensuring transparent presidential elections in Tajikistan in 2013. NMT is still awaiting formal response from the Ministry of Justice for registration of the organization and will be taking this matter to the court and international community early next year.

Sincerely,

Leadership

National Movement of Tajikistan

Press Release September 1, 2012

National Movement of Tajikistan regretfully informs that due to continuous threats and pressures and other illegal actions of government officials the conference on transparency of presidential elections 2013 planned in Dushanbe on August 30 was not held on adequate level.

The leadership, members, and fans of NMT in cooperation with various political parties and international organizations agreed to have productive discussion around this important topic at the meeting hall of Writers’ Union in Dushanbe in the framework of laws of the republic.

However, responsible officials from the Ministry of Justice and Security Committee throughout the month of August used threats and pressures over the phone and in person against NMT members as well as paid illegal visits to their houses and family members creating obstacles in official registration of NMT and organization of this particular event.

In the country which its people have proclaimed to have rule of law and democracy voluntary gathering and discussions on any issue by its citizens should not be controlled and hindered by its government.

We believe that members of current government will show full respect of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan and sincerely support democratic values.

We urge the government to view objectively our organization’s goals and programs and in future cooperate with all other political parties in promoting democratic processes and ensuring transparency of presidential elections 2013.