On December 10, Human Rights Day, the world reflects once again on the universal ideals of freedom, equality, and dignity. Yet in Tajikistan, these values have been trampled under the weight of Emomali Rahmon’s tyranny for 33 years. His regime epitomizes violence, corruption, and the complete suppression of human freedoms.
Today, more than 8,500 individuals languish in Tajikistan’s prisons on fabricated charges. Among them are journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, civil society activists, and ordinary citizens who dared to speak the truth. These individuals endure torture, humiliation, and the deprivation of all their rights.
Eighty percent of the nation’s economy is controlled by Rahmon’s family. State institutions are riddled with corruption. Mass killings, torture, sexual violence, and censorship have become the norm. There are no free elections, no fair justice system, and no social guarantees in Tajikistan.
The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region stands as a tragic example of the regime’s brutality. In 2022, peaceful protests there were violently suppressed, with dozens killed, hundreds arrested, and thousands left defenseless against state repression. These atrocities continue a legacy of violence dating back to the civil war, during which more than 150,000 people were killed to secure Rahmon’s hold on power.
Millions of citizens have been forced to flee the country, escaping poverty and repression. Those who remain live without electricity, without social protection, and without hope for justice. The regime has turned the country into a land of fear and lawlessness.
Human Rights Day serves as a reminder that freedom, justice, and dignity are indivisible. We, the people of Tajikistan, deserve freedom, justice, and a life without fear. We call on the international community for solidarity and action. Together, we can create a new future for Tajikistan — a nation where the rights of every citizen are protected, and the future belongs to the people, not to dictators.
Sharofiddin Gadoev
Chairman, Movement for Reform and Development of Tajikistan
Amsterdam
10 December 2024
