The Movement for Reforms and Development of Tajikistan strongly condemns the unjust and unlawful sentences issued by the Dushanbe City Court against Sukhrob Zafar, the leader of “Group 24,” and Nasimjon Sharifov, a member of the same group, who were sentenced to 30 and 20 years of imprisonment, respectively. The trial was held behind closed doors, without the presence of lawyers, family members, or journalists, once again demonstrating the lack of an independent judiciary in Tajikistan and the transformation of justice into a tool for political retribution against opponents of the regime of Emomali Rahmon.
This verdict is part of the Tajik authorities’ ongoing repressive policy aimed at suppressing political opposition and civil society. Such actions demonstrate that the Tajik government seeks to retain power at any cost, systematically violating human rights and international legal norms. The convictions of Sukhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov are politically motivated acts designed to silence those who fight for freedom of speech, political reform, and justice in Tajikistan.
The Movement for Reforms and Development of Tajikistan emphasizes that these repressions affect not only the aforementioned activists but also the entire Tajik society. The suppression of freedom of expression and peaceful political activity is part of the Rahmon regime’s broader campaign to eliminate any independent movements advocating for reform. The trial of Sukhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov is not merely an act of revenge but an attempt to completely suppress any expressions of political and social resistance.
The government of Tajikistan bears full responsibility for the abduction of these activists from the territory of the Republic of Turkey and their subsequent deportation to Tajikistan, a clear violation of international legal norms. After their deportation, they were subjected to torture and denied the right to a fair trial, legal defense, and basic respect for human dignity. These actions contravene fundamental international norms, including:
• Articles 6, 9, 10, 11, 19, and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
• Articles 9, 14, 19, 25, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Movement for Reforms and Development of Tajikistan calls on the international community to urgently respond to these blatant human rights violations in Tajikistan. We demand that international organizations such as the United Nations, OSCE, the European Union, and human rights organizations—including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, Norwegian Helsinki Committee —conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case of Sukhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov and increase pressure on the Rahmon regime for the immediate release of all political prisoners.
We also urge the United States and EU countries to impose sanctions against Rahmon for gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity, and to initiate proceedings in the International Criminal Court to hold the highest officials of Tajikistan accountable for crimes against humanity.
We emphasize that despite the torture and persecution, Sukhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov have shown courage and determination in continuing their fight for justice and freedom. They are symbols of the resilience and determination of the Tajik people in their struggle for freedom and democracy. Their fate is a testament to the ongoing fight for human rights and a just society in Tajikistan, despite the brutal repression by the regime.
We believe that the collective efforts of the international community and human rights defenders will help achieve justice for all victims of the repressive regime.
Movement for Reforms and Development of Tajikistan
October 17, 2024
