On Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media
B-9-2024-0065
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Viola von CramonTaubadel, Francisco Guerreiro, Hannah Neumann, Ignazio Corrao, Bronis Ropė, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Heidi Hautala, Alviina Alametsä, Malte Gallée
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A motion for a resolution on Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media. It condemns the targeting of independent journalists and human rights defenders by the Tajikistan authorities and calls for the release of those unduly detained.¶¶¶ It urges Tajikistan to stop intimidating media workers, human rights defenders, independent lawyers and civil society, and to stop using anti-extremism laws to restrict freedom of expression.¶ It stresses that implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including article 19, is a condition of GSP+, and calls on the Commission to take violations into account when considering GSP+ negotiations.¶
Key points
- Expresses deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Tajikistan on freedom of expression and condemns the targeting of independent journalists and human rights defenders by the Tajikistan authorities.¶
- Calls on the authorities of Tajikistan to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists and human rights defenders unduly detained for their legitimate human rights work, and drop all charges against them, naming nine individuals.¶
- Urges the Tajikistan authorities to cease the intimidation and persecution of media workers, human rights defenders, independent lawyers and civil society.¶
- Urges Tajikistan to refrain from using anti-extremism legislation such as the 2020 “Law on Countering Extremism” and the 2021 “Law on Combating Terrorism” to unduly restrict freedom of expression.
- Condemns all politically motivated trials and is concerned about lack of fair and public hearings by competent, independent, and impartial courts, as well as reports of inadequate health care for political prisoners.¶
- Stresses that implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including article 19 on freedom of expression, is a condition of GSP+.¶
- Calls on the European Commission to take into account ongoing violations against freedom of expression and other human rights as it considers opening GSP+ negotiations with Tajikistan.
- Emphasizes to Tajikistan authorities that, in line with the EU's Guidelines on human rights defenders, journalists and human rights defenders unjustly imprisoned must be released before the GSP+ process can move forward.
- Stresses that any Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement should be conditional on a stark reversal in Tajikistan’s repression of dissenting voices.
Who is affected
- Tajikistan authorities: called on to release detained journalists and human rights defenders, drop charges, and stop using anti-extremism laws to restrict expression.¶¶
- Independent journalists and human rights defenders in Tajikistan: the resolution condemns their targeting and calls for their release.¶
- European Commission: asked to consider ongoing violations when weighing GSP+ negotiations with Tajikistan.¶
Figures and deadlines
- May 2022: crackdown against protesters in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) ushered in an era of repression.¶
- 2022 and 2023: seven journalists in Tajikistan were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in politically motivated trials.¶
- July 2023: United Nations Human Rights Council criticized Tajikistan for its “apparent use of anti-terrorism legislation to silence critical voices”.¶
- 14 December 2023: the EU and Tajikistan held the 14th round of their annual Human Rights Dialogue in Dushanbe.¶
- 2020 “Law on Countering Extremism” and 2021 “Law on Combating Terrorism”: cited as anti-extremism legislation used to restrict freedom of expression.¶