The Movement “Reforms and Development of Tajikistan” expresses deep concern and strongly condemns the politically motivated sentences handed down to Tajik public and political figures, lawyers, journalists, and human rights defenders in connection with the fabricated case of the so-called “attempted coup.” This judicial process is yet another manifestation of the systemic suppression of civil liberties, legal arbitrariness, and political terror carried out by the authoritarian regime of Emomali Rahmon. These actions clearly demonstrate the regime’s intention to completely eliminate any manifestations of dissent and independent public activity in the country. The Movement regards these actions as an expression of political terror aimed at suppressing dissent and eradicating independent voices in Tajikistan.
Among those subjected to repression are prominent figures of Tajik society, including Akbarsho Iskandarov, former Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan and one of the architects of the country’s independence; Shokirjon Hakimov, a well-known lawyer, Doctor of Law, and First Deputy Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan; Ahmadsho Komilzoda, an independent journalist; and Rukhshona Hakimova, a journalist. In addition to them, dozens of other activists and public figures have been arbitrarily arrested and sentenced to long prison terms—ranging from 8 to 27 years with asset confiscation. The trials were conducted behind closed doors, without adherence to basic fair trial standards, and the verdicts were based on fabricated charges orchestrated by the regime’s security forces.
The persecution of the opposition, independent media, and civil society has become a systemic policy of the Tajik authorities. Over his 33 years of absolute rule, Emomali Rahmon has established a totalitarian regime in Tajikistan, completely devoid of democratic institutions, where the judiciary serves exclusively as a tool of political repression. The country has developed a practice of convicting individuals without real evidence, systematically using torture during investigations, and carrying out arbitrary detentions. As a result, Tajikistan has effectively become a police state, where any form of dissent is immediately crushed through repressive measures.
This policy of the Tajik authorities poses not only an internal threat to the rights and freedoms of its citizens but also risks destabilizing the region. The systematic suppression of the opposition, the absence of independent political institutions, growing socio-economic instability, and harsh repression against dissenters create conditions for rising tensions in society. If this situation persists, it could lead to a further radicalization of protest sentiments and an increased risk of instability in Central Asia.
In response, the Movement “Reforms and Development of Tajikistan” calls on the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the governments of democratic states—including the United States and the United Kingdom—as well as international human rights organizations to take urgent and decisive measures to pressure the Tajik authorities. Specifically, the Movement demands:
- To recognize the issued verdicts as politically motivated and demand the immediate release of all convicted individuals.
- To impose personal sanctions on judges, prosecutors, security personnel, and government officials involved in fabricating criminal cases and violating human rights.
- To restrict international economic and financial cooperation with the Tajik regime until the repression ceases and democratic processes are restored.
- To suspend all cooperation with Tajikistan’s security forces, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the State Committee for National Security (SCNS), and the Prosecutor General’s Office, due to their systematic use of violence and torture against civilians.
- To provide political, diplomatic, and financial support to the Tajik opposition and civil society as the only viable alternative to dictatorship and a guarantee of the country’s future democratic development.
- To initiate an investigation under the auspices of the UN and the International Criminal Court into crimes against humanity committed by the Tajik regime, including extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, the use of torture, and mass political repression.
The current situation confirms that Tajikistan has fully transformed into an authoritarian state with numerous elements of totalitarianism, where the rule of law, independent judiciary, and freedom of speech are completely absent. However, history has shown that no repressive regime can endure forever. The international community must not abandon the Tajik people to face authoritarian oppression alone, ignoring systematic human rights violations and political persecution. Only decisive and coordinated action can lead to the release of unlawfully convicted individuals and the restoration of democratic order in the country.
Sharofiddin Gadoev
Chairman of the Movement “Reforms and Development of Tajikistan”
February 5, 2025