On October 1, Sharofiddin Gadoev, Chairman of the Movement for Reforms and Development of Tajikistan, addressed the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference on Human Rights. He called upon the international community to support the organization of a constructive dialogue with the government of Emomali Rahmon through the mechanisms of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
In his appeal, Gadoev emphasized that Tajikistan is currently experiencing a profound political, legal, and humanitarian crisis. This crisis not only threatens the internal stability of the country but also poses risks to the security of the entire Central Asian region. He highlighted that the repressive actions of Rahmon’s regime against political opposition, civil society, and independent media are well-documented and internationally recognized.
Systematic human rights violations—such as extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, restrictions on freedom of speech, and the persecution of journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders—have become commonplace under Rahmon’s regime. Extensive repressions, including mass killings in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), have exacerbated the crisis. These actions have left the population in a state of despair, feeling that peaceful resolutions are unattainable. Such conditions create a tangible threat of destabilization, potentially leading to unpredictable consequences for the region.
Gadoev also noted that the actions of Rahmon’s regime fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), encompassing crimes such as mass killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and other severe human rights violations. He stressed that holding the regime accountable at the international level is a crucial step toward restoring justice and protecting the rights of the affected citizens of Tajikistan.
He urged the international community to engage in active, collaborative efforts to promote human rights and democratic reforms in Tajikistan. Within the proposed dialogue framework with the OSCE and ODIHR, Gadoev outlined several key steps that need to be undertaken:
- Immediate release of all political prisoners.
- Cessation of repressions against journalists, human rights defenders, and representatives of civil society.
- Repeal of laws that violate Tajikistan’s international human rights obligations.
- Conducting free and democratic elections.
Gadoev expressed confidence that, with the support of the OSCE and ODIHR, it is possible to renew international dialogue and achieve tangible democratic changes in Tajikistan.
