News
April 30, 2009 / A New Procurator has been Named in Dushanbe
The General Procurator of Tajikistan, Bobojon Bobokhonov, has directed the appointment of a new procurator for the city of Dushanbe, Saidmurod Kodirov, who previously occupied the post of deputy procurator in Khatlon. As reported by Avesta in the general procurator’s office, Kadirov, by filling the post of procurator for the capital is replacing Kurbonali Muhabbatov. In accordance with the constitution of Tajikistan and the law on the Procuratorship of Tajikistan, procurators are appointed for a period of 5 years.
Source: “Avesta”
April 27, 2009 / The Problems of Cooperation between NGOs and Media will be Discussed in Dushanbe
The problems of cooperation between NGOs and the Media will be discussed on April 28-29 in a training seminar organized by the NGO “Umedbakhsh” in the framework of the project to advance the interests of civil society, which has been supported by the Agha Khan Development Foundation. As reported by Asia-Plus, the project coordinator, Ilkhom Narziev, the plan is to discuss in the seminar the most effective, socially significant and interesting points for the media projects of NGOs, and also the typical errors of NGOs and the media outlets in their relations. According to him, special attention in the training will be given to practical training, in particular, to the specific nature of covering social themes, the preparation of press releases, and the holding of press conferences. The seminar will take place in the building of the newspaper-magazine complex in Dushanbe. The trainers will be professors from the Department of Journalism in the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Daler Gufronov
April 24, 2009 / The Criminal Case against the Former Chief Editor of the Weekly “Tong” has been Sent to the Court for Further Consideration
As reported by the senior assistant procurator of Khojand, Alijon Samadov, the former editor of the newspaper, Pulat Umarov, the chief accountant of the newspaper S. Umarov, and the owner D. Toshmatov, are charged with violating articles 257 and 340 of the criminal code of Tajikistan. From July to November 2008, through fictitious documents, they misappropriated humanitarian grant money, which had been submitted to the editorial office. With this complaint, the founder of the newspaper, Maksud Khudayberdyev, turned to the procurator. The procurator has finished the investigations and sent the case to the city court of Khojand. According to the source, the suspects are facing 2 to 7 years in prison.
Source: Monitoring service of NANSMIT, April 22, 2009
April 23, 2009 / In Dushanbe an Agreement has been Signed on the Expansion of Knowledge in Schools and Universities about International Humanitarian Rights
Today, the Ministry of Education of Tajikistan, the National Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, and the regional representation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Central Asia signed an agreement on increasing awareness about international humanitarian law in both schools and institutes of higher education. As reported by Asia-Plus, an employee working in education and on questions of information activity in Tajikistan, Murodjon Soliev, the agreement regulates cooperation between the sides in providing instruction to the higher level students about humanitarian values and the bases of international humanitarian law within the framework of the subjects of human rights and trainings, as well as in the instruction in the departments of
international law, foreign relations, physical training, and journalism in the universities of Tajikistan in 2009 - 2010.
According to him, in accordance with the agreement, the Ministry of Education will undertake measures for the integration of international humanitarian law into the curricula and educational standards of high schools and higher education, and also into the corresponding training and examination materials.
M. Soliev reported that “the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and the national society of the red crescent will contribute to this process by putting into practice additional educational measures (seminars, conferences, competitions, and the like). Furthermore, there will be consultative assistance provided to the specialists of the Ministry, university-partners such as the Russian-Tajik Slavoniv University and the Tajik National University, and to the institutes for the advanced training of pedagogical personnel”.
Rafaelo Muller, the deputy head of the Regional ICRC in Central Asia noted at the signing ceremony that “the signing of the agreement testifies to the emergence of cooperation between our organizations on a qualitatively new level. International humanitarian law has already long ago been taught in the schools and universities of Tajikistan, and steps have been taken for its integration into the training process. The ICRC expresses its readiness to render assistance to the educational agencies of Tajikistan in accordance with the agreement and hopes for the preservation of such courses in the programs of secondary schools and universities of the country after 2010.”
The ICRC has been working in Tajikistan since 1992. Besides providing assistance in teaching humanitarian law in schools and universities, the ICRC collaborates with the Defense Ministry of Tajikistan in the instruction of personnel on the principles of the law of armed conflict, and also with the Ministry of Justice and other government structures, which are interested in the introduction of humanitarian law into the national legislation.
Source:“Asia-Plus,” Firdavs Murtazaev
April 15, 2009 / In Three Months in Tajikistan there were 3,333 Crimes
In three months of this year in Tajikistan, 3,333 crimes were committed. In comparison with the same period last year, this number is up 2.8% from 3,243. Speaking at a press conference on official statistics, the first deputy of the General Procurator, Abdusami Dadabaev, noted that in the period indicated, according to the prosecutor, 826 faced disciplinary action, 2,035 – administrative penalties, and 217 were found criminally responsible. As a result of these crimes, the material cost to the state has been more than 18 million somoni.
Source: “Asia-Plus” Nargis Khamrabaeva
April 10, 2009 / An Article by Nargis Zokirova on the CPC of Tajikistan
An article by Nargis Zokirova, under the title, “Civil Society of Tajikistan is Dissatisfied with the Criminal Procedure Code,” has been published on April 10 and discusses the difficult process of considering the draft criminal procedure code of Tajikistan. The article, in particular, deals with a number of problems in the bill, and also presents a number of expert opinions on these questions – both from the side of the government and civil society.
The article by Nargis Zokiroa can be accessed at the following site: http://hrt.tj/downloads/statya_zokirovoi_po_UPK_RT.doc
Source: The Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law
April 9, 2009 / The Parliament of Tajikistan has Introduced Changes to the Law on Licensing Private Activities
The deputies of the Lower House of the parliament of the country have introduced changes and amendments to the law on licensing private activity, according to which, Tajikistan will allow work with radioactive materials to be permitted only on the basis of a special license. As reported by parliament deputy, Latofat Sharifova, this proposal came to the parliament of the country from the government. Sharifova noted, “In the case of adopting the amendment, Tajikistan will introduce a license for working with the import, removal, sale, processing, production, application, and destruction of radioactive materials.” According to her, this proposal is supported by the IAEA and other international organizations. She emphasized that, “The adoption of these changes to the legislation of the country is also directed at ensuring National Security, ecological well-being, and the international obligations of our republic for the non-proliferation of nuclear materials.”
These changes and additions were accepted by the deputies without debate and unanimously. Furthermore, the deputies ratified the regulations of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The first deputy foreign minister of Tajikistan, Abdullah Yuldoshev, speaking before the deputies on this question, reported that new regulations of the organization were approved at the 11th summit of the OIC in the capital of Senegal, which took place in March last year.
“At present, the OIC is of interest not only to 57 countries, but also the entire Islamic world; therefore to new regulations, there will be introduced major amendments, which are concerned with the status of member nations and national self-determination,” Yuldoshev noted. In this case, answering a question from the leader of the Communists Shodi Shabdolova about the participation of Tajikistan in the Islamic Court under the OIC, the Deputy Minister noted that this can be determined by a separate agreement. “This law court, in essence, examines economic disputes and intergovermental relations,” Yuldoshev emphasized. The Speaker the Lower House of the parliament of the country presented a question concerned with the Jerusalem commission of the OIC, whose status determines such regulations. “Not one state of the number of members of the OIC, including Tajikistan, considers East Jerusalem as part of Israel and this is the basic demand of the Jerusalem commission,” the first deputy of the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan emphasized. Tajikistan has been a member of the OIC since 1992.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
April 8, 2009 / The European Court of Human Rights has Delivered a Verdict on Russia in the Sladkov Case
On March 26, 2003 Sladkov Sergey Borisovich, a citizen of the Russian Federation appealed to the European Court of Human Rights. The plaintiff was born in 1956 and lives in Dushanbe city. At present he is the Colonel of the Russian border forces. In accordance with the Russian laws, the soldiers, who have large terms of service, have the right to obtain dwelling (the plaintiff falls under these conditions) and they cannot be discharged without their agreement, without the assignment of dwelling. Desiring to be discharged, the plaintiff determined that he desires to obtain a residence. Since it was not given, the plaintiff filed a suit against the command.
In 1998, the military court 10514 of Russia decided to discharge the plaintiff and to ensure accommodation, as well as to compensate for damages. The plaintiff was proposed residences in Vyaz'ma, Kursk, Kovrov, Galich, Voronezh, and Krasnodar. However, he rejected these proposals, because he desired to obtain an apartment in Tver. The plaintiff again filed suit against the command. As a result, the court of appeals decided on an assignment of dwelling in Tver.
In October 2006, December 2006, and in June 2007, the command proposed to the plaintiff three apartments in Tver. The plaintiff refused them since he assumed that the command had to first satisfy the requirements for other privileges, and because the apartments were meeting the basic characteristics of apartments.
On December 18, 2008, after examining the matter indicated, the court unanimously recognized: the complaint relative to the refusal to follow the court orders and the absence of means to protect against this is unacceptable; the violation of Article 6 (ch1) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (right to a fair trial) and Article 1 of protocol No. 1 (protection of property); and the violation of Article 13 of the Convention (Right to an effective means of legal protection) means that
a) the state responder must pay to the plaintiff in the course of three months from the date, into which the solution becomes final in accordance with article 44 (ch 2) of convention, 3500 Euros, plus any tax, which can be exacted, relative to the harm suffered; and
b) in the case of the delay of payment in time of more than three months the sum with an increase indicated equal to the maximum loan percentage of the European Central Bank by the moment of payment plus three percent must be paid; and to decrease the remainder from the demand of the plaintiff for legal award.
Source: Bureau of Human Rights and Rule and Law
April 7, 2009 / The Trial of Suhrob Lagariev has Started
The trial of Suhrob Langariev, the younger brother of Langari Langariev, has started in Tajikistan. Langari, in the years of the civil war, was one of the leaders of the People’s Front of Tajikistan.
As reported to Asia-Plus by the press secretary of the Supreme Court, Makhmadali Yusufov, he is charged with violating several articles of the criminal code, among which are drug trafficking, illegally storing firearms, and armed resistance to the authorities.
Yusufov noted that the “Process is closed and is taking place in the pre-trial detention center of the State Committee of National Security of Tajikistan. The deputy chairman of the supreme court, Zafar Azizov, is presiding over the process.”
According to the information of the State Committee, Langariyev was arrested on May 27 of last year in the course of a special operation in Kulob. 30-year old S. Langariev has controlled one of the transnational narcotic networks of Tajikistan. Law-enforcement structures were on the track of Langariev as a result of investigations into several facts of illegal state border crossings from Afghanistan into Tajikistan and the further distribution of narcotics.
In particular, it was established that on the Tajik-Afghan border, a transnational group of citizens was discovered to be from Afghanistan and Tajikistan and occupied with drug trafficking. One of the drug networks in Tajikistan controlled specifically by S. Langariev, has been under search since 2002 for robbery.
Besides S. Langariev, other men were also arrested in his home, among whom were his nephew, the 24-year old Asam Langariev, a son of one of the leaders of the People’s Front in the civil war years Sangaka Safarov, and 22-year old Nurmakhmad Safarov, as well as several citizens of Afghanistan.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
April 6, 2009 / The Law on “Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations” has Entered into Force in Tajikistan
The official publication of Tajikistan - the newspaper “Jumkhuriyat,” has published one day earlier the law, “Freedom of conscience and the religious associations”. Thus, this legal report means that the law has officially entered into force. According to the law, in the areas of cities and regions of the republic, there can be only one central cathedral mosque (Friday prayer mosques). Cathedral mosques will be created in populated areas, where there are 10,000 to 20,000 people. In Dushanbe, in the city mahallahs, there must be 30 to 50 thousand people. The mosques, in which it is possible to perform the daily prayers, can be built in populated areas where are 100 to 1000 citizens, and in Dushanbe, the activity is restricted to areas where there is a population of 1000 to 5000. Furthermore, according to the law, the imams of mosques will be assigned according to agreements with the authorized government agency.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Avaz Yuldashev
1 April , 2009 / Imported Goods Can Now Be Limited In Tajikistan
Heated debates arose today in the course of considering the draft law on “Measures for the Protection of the Economic Interests of Tajikistan through Merchandise Export, which took place during the current session of the Lower House of Parliament.
Presenting to parliamentarians this bill, deputy Mirzosharif Islomiddinov noted that the reason for preparing the bill was the critical situation today in the national economy. “When imports in our state predominate over exports, when many goods are coming from abroad to us that do not satisfy the simple requirements of quality, when goods of domestic producers cannot compete with similar foreign goods, for purposes of the minimization of the consequences of the world financial crisis, we should accept this law,” Islomiddinov noted.
According to him, the draft of the law was prepared by him and his associate Sadriddin Khayriddinov a long time ago, but to reach a consensus, a lot of time remained. “The government of Tajikistan discussed the draft three times, but at long last, it was approved.”
“After the adoption of this bill, the government of the country for purposes of supporting domestic producers can take anti-dumping measures in relation to imported goods similar to those produced inside the country itself,” Islomiddinov reported. For these purposes, the government can introduce temporary compensation taxes or a temporary special tax on some goods, imported from abroad, for example, carpets, textiles, or alcoholic beverages.”
Speaking on this question, deputy Safarali Radzhabov noted that the adoption of this law can lead to price hikes in the markets. “We almost lack entirely the production of goods –everything is from abroad. We will deprive the citizens of the country of the possibility to acquire Turkish or Iranian carpets for reasonable prices, and force them to buy Tajik carpets for overly high prices. What domestic enterprise can ensure the needs of the population of the country for even one or more goods?” Radzhabov noted.
Answering a question of a deputy, Islomiddinov noted that such enterprises exist, for example “Tadzhikazot,” the carpet enterprises “Zarya Vostoka,” which together with “Minpromom,” appealed with this request to the government and the parliament repeatedly.
“After the adoption of this law the government of the country cannot independently without the appropriate appeal of domestic producers make a decision to limit the entering of one or other goods or another from abroad. Only in the case of the undertaken obligations from the side of the producers of goods can the government temporarily take such measures,” Islomiddinov stated.
Deputy Yusufjon Akhmedov stated that Tajikistan was late with the adoption of this law by 15 years. “We produced bicycles and wheelchairs, but we were not protected, and thus, we were forced to stop production, which meant an increase in the number of labor migrants leaving Tajikistan. Let us recall TALKO, which in its time produced aluminum windows and doors; however, we did not support our company, and as a result, into our market windows produced in China rushed in.” Akhmedov noted.
Deputy Shodi Shabdolov emphasized that, now, when domestic production of eggs and chickens has come up again, Tajikistan continues to receive similar trade from Brazil, Iran and India. “It is necessary to put this to an end, otherwise our state will declare itself bankrupt,” the leader of the Communists in the parliament of the country stated.
Deputy Muhiddin Kabiri emphasized that together with the adoption of this law, the parliamentarians and the government of the country must decrease taxes for the domestic producers and protect them from corruption. After long debates the parliamentarians approved the draft law on “Measures for the protection of the economic interests of Tajikistan when carrying out external trade” with a majority of votes.
Source: Asia-Plus
31 March , 2009 / A Number of Government Postings were Changed
President Emomali Rahmon has introduced a number of staff changes at today’s meeting reviewing the results of work carried out over the first three months of this year, Tajikistan’s national news agency Khovar reported today. Valery Sharipov, Rashid Dodoboyev, and Qudratullo Qurbonov were appointed deputy director generals of the State Enterprise, Tajik Air (Tajik national air carrier). Khurshed Khairakov was appointed deputy chairman of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) and Safarali Sadulloyev was appointed deputy chairman of Barqi Tojik.
Abdugaffor Rahmonov, formerly Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister, was appointed deputy head of the State Committee for Investments and State-owned Property Management. Muhibali Safarov was relieved of his post of director general of the state insurance company, Tojiksughurta and transferred to another job. He was replaced by Aloviddin Sattorov, who had previously served as chairman of Khatlon’s Vakhsh district. Moreover, Sabzali Nazriov was appointed to head the Rushdi Dehoti Khatlon (Khatlon rural development) Project. During the meeting, it was noted that 12 million euros had been provided for the implementation of this project - which would operate in five districts of Khatlon.
Source: Asia-Plus, Mavjuda Hasanova
30 March 2009 / From the Start of the Year 16 “Gruzov-200s” were Delivered to the North of Tajikistan from Russia
Source: “Asia-Plus”
16 “gruzov-200s,” filled with the bodies of the inhabitants of Soghd have entered the north of Tajikistan since the beginning of the year. As reported by Asia-Plus, in the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Soghd Oblast, all of the bodies were delivered from Russia – 15 men and 1 woman. According to the data of the source, the cause of death of two inhabitants of the region were murder, one - suicide, four passed away as a result of disease, eight perished as a result of accidents, but the cause of death of one of them was not established. In 2008, 265 coffins were delivered from the Russian Federation to Soghd with the bodies of the inhabitants of Soghd, 57 of whom were killed. Meanwhile, from January 1 to March 12, 2009, 50,473 inhabitants of Soghd left, while in the same period of 2008, the number was 56,215.
17 March 2009 / MAJLISI NAMOYANDAGON BOARD CONSIDERS A NUMBER OF BILLS ON MONDAY
The board (Shuro) of the lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of Tajik parliament considered a number of bills at a March 16 meeting, presided over by its head, Saydullo Khairulloyev.
Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, said that the board had considered the draft laws on dehqon (peasant farm), additional education, and participation of citizens in maintaining public order as well as an agreement on cooperation between the CIS states in combating illegal trading in historical relics and a government-to-government agreement between Tajikistan and India for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion.
Some of these issues will be considered at a regular sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation on March 18, Sultonov said.
Today, the lower house today heard reports by finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov and director of the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption, Sherkhon Salimzoda, on work carried out by ministry and the anticorruption agency last year.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
17 March 2009 / Republic of Tajikistan asking to extend the time period for completion of its obligations on the Ottawa Convention
Republic of Tajikistan seeks extension of the more time for completiont of its obligations for the Convention on the Prohibition to use, to stockpiling, production and transfering of antipersonnel mines and on their destruction for more ten years, head of Tajik Mine Action Cell Jonmahmad Rajabov said. TMAC is the governmental structure responsible for all mine action related issues in the Republic.
Republic of Tajikistan signed the Ottawa Convention in 2000. All signatory states undertook to ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel land mines they possess, as soon as possible but no later than 10 years after signing the convention. In the case of Tajikistan, this means that the country should be mine-free by 2010.
“We will not be able to complete demining operations this year and international experts have confirmed that,” said the TMAC director, “Therefore, we have sent a request to the Commission under the Government of Tajikistan for Implementation of International law for extension of the period for another ten years and they have approved that. In late March, we intend to apply to the Ottawa Convention Secretariat and I think we will receive reply to our request before the end of this year.”
Main reasons for failure to completiont of its obligations by the set time are shortage of finance and lack of modern demining equipment. “Despite the fact that many countries and international organizations decided to contribute this year to demining operations in Tajikistan the funds are not sufficient,” Rajabov said.
The mine-strewn areas in Tajikistan are a legacy of the country’s disastrous civil war in the 1990s. Most land mines in Tajikistan were laid during the five-year civil war, which ended in 1997. In many areas the mines still pose a deadly threat as well as a major impediment to effective land use. Additional mines were laid along the Tajik-Uzbek border by the authorities in Tashkent in the late 1990s. The action was reportedly taken to stave off incursions by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). According to statistic in Tajikistan since 1990-s more than 600 civilians have become to victims of mine explosions .
Now already 1.5 million square meters of land was demined by special demining groups and was destroyed more than 11,000 antipersonnel mines , but also they have to clear another 17 million square meters.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
10 March 2009 / Tajikistan adopts law banning use of cell phones at high schools
Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have endorsed the bill putting a ban on the use of cell phones at high schools.
A regular sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation, presided over by its chairman, Saydullo Khairulloyev, was held on March 10.
Parliamentarians considered and approved a number of amendments made to the country’s laws on education, higher and post-graduate vocational education and basic vocational education.
Presenting the bill requiring amendments to the mentioned laws, MP Dodikhudo Saymuddinov noted that the amendments concerned putting ban on the use of cell phones at high schools irrespective of forms of property. “The ban applies to teachers as well,” Saymuddinov said.
According to him, the amendments resulted from president’s numerous addresses and are aimed at improving quality of the education process. “The education minister’s order on the ban of the use of cell phones has not yielded proper results, and therefore, time has come to take legislative measures,” the parliamentarian said
We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon in March 2007 ordered the ban on the use of cell phones and private cars at high schools.
Those who break the law will have to pay a fee in accordance with the provisions of the country’s administrative code, Saymuddinov said.
In the meantime, speaking at the meeting, MP Yusuf Ahmadov noted that many parents used cell phones to control their children. “If there is necessity for adoption of such amendments, it is necessary to install public telephones at all schools in order that parents would know where their kids are,” Ahmadov said.
He also noted that the most serious problem that was currently facing the education sector in the country was an acute shortage of teachers. “Instead of tackling this serious problem, we have discussed the use of cell phones at educational facilities,” Ahmadov said.
By the majority of votes, parliamentarians approved the amendments.
7 March 2009 / The UN Special Rapporteur Surveyed the Situation of Freedom of Religion in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
Source: UN News
On March 12, at the 10th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Special Rapporteur on the question of freedom of religion and conscience, Asma Jahangir, presented a report on the situation in this region in two Central Asian republics – Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
According to Ms. Jahangir, although “the Tajik authorities undertook a whole series of measures directed at protecting the freedom of religion and conscience,” cases of attacks against the places of worship of minorities have been noted. Not long ago, Dushanbe has declared illegal some Muslim groups, from which extremists have emerged. There have been frequent persecutions also of untypical beliefs for the region – Krishnaits, Bahais, and Jehovah’s witnesses.
As the Special Rapporteur stated, this “violates the vulnerable position of women in Tajik society, which was also partly created by the impact of traditional factors”. As a measure to oppose these negative trends, she has proposed to conduct educational campaigns against the disenfranchised position of women and polygamy. In the 1990s, in Tajikistan a bloody Civil War took place between the authorities and the opposition, which was conducted through religious slogans. After the conclusion of the peace agreement the Armed Forces of the Islamic Opposition gradually disarmed and were integrated peacefully into society, but nevertheless, the level of religion in Tajik society is greater than in neighboring countries. In the country – for a long time - Uzbek religious extremists from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan found shelter.
Jahangir also evaluated the situation in Turkmenistan. She noted the “large impression produced of a high degree of tolerance and harmonious religious relations, which exist in the Turkmen society.” At the same time, she emphasized that in the country there are cases of arrests, intimidations, persecutions, and violations, which were supposedly carried out by authorities against the religious activity of persons and groups. In spite of an objective improvement in the situation since 2007, to call the situation of freedom of religion in the country satisfactory is difficult. It is noted in the report that “the religious persons and communities, as before, encounter a whole series of difficulties connected with the introduction of legal or political limitations from the side of authorities on registration, places for worship, and religious education.”
6 March 2009 / The Majlisi Namoyandagon has endorsed a bill recognizing the Hanafi school as an official religion of Tajikistan.
The Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan s lower chamber of parliament) has endorsed a bill recognizing the Hanafi school as an official religion of Tajikistan.
A regular sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation, presided over by its head, Saydullo Khairulloyev, was held on March 5.
The draft law of Tajikistan On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations was a major topic of the meeting.
Presenting the bill, Culture Minister Mirzoshorukh Asrori noted that the draft law should replace the country the country's law On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations that was adopted in 1990 already.
Religious radicalism, nihilism and some other religious movements alien to our people that emerged in society lately are among reasons for adoption of the new law, the minister said.
According to him, preparation of the bill lasted for two years and Tajik specialists and religious scholars as well as representatives of public associations and international experts from the OSCE took part in discussion of the bill. Asrori noted that they had taken into consideration an alternative bill worked out by senior representatives of the Islamic Revival Party (IRPT) Muhiddin Kabiri and Mahmadsharif Himmatzoda, while preparing the bill.
Some 3,000 mosques, including 259 cathedral mosques, as well as 18 religious educational facilities currently function in the country, the minister said. Parishioners of all these mosques and students at these educational facilities are followers of the Hanafi school. Therefore we propose to recognize the Hanafi school as an official religion of Tajikistan.
Parliamentarians endorsed the ill without any serious discussions.
Among the four established Sunni schools of legal thought in Islam, the Hanafi school is the oldest, Abu Hanifa was the first to systematically arrange and compile Islamic law. A unique feature of the school is the method in which the law was codified: Abu Hanifa would convene and preside over a board of jurists (consisting of about 40-50 of his own students) and each would give his own opinion on a particular legal issue, Abu Hanifa would then decide which is the opinion that is to be selected by corroborating it or sometimes would offer his own unique opinion. The Hanafi school also has the most followers among the four major Sunni schools.
Today, the Hanafi school is predominant among the Sunnis of Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, China as well as in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia in the Balkans and the Caucasus.
23 February 2009 / Central Asian human rights defenders take stock of their work against torture
Dushanbe, February 19, 2009 - February 2009 is the concluding month of the two-year project "Combating torture in Central Asia" which has been implemented by partner-organizations in the region with financial support from the European Union. Summing up the project work at a presentation in Dushanbe on 18 February, human rights defenders noted that there are certain positive developments in the sphere of combating torture in Central Asia, but generally the situation remains difficult.
Among the positive developments, they mentioned the ratification of the Optional Protocol to Convention against Torture (OPCAT) by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Sergey Romanov, lawyer of the Bureau on Human Rights and the Rule of Law, and national project coordinator, informed that in Tajikistan, 92 cases of torture and abusive treatment by law-enforcement officers have been recorded by the 'Coalition against torture' (including lawyers, human rights advocates, journalists) during the period of June 2007 – December 2008.
According to him, the 'Coalition against torture' was formed in the framework of the project and during its implementation conducted different activities to protect torture victims. In particular, it recorded facts of torture, assisted in the protection of torture victims, conducted various meetings, round tables and conferences on preventing torture, as well as ensured mass media coverage of this problem.
As mentioned during the presentation of the project's results on 18 February, there was barely any noticeable improvement in ensuring a regular and unhindered access to closed institutions (detention centres, prisons) for monitoring. These institutions essentially remain closed off for human rights organizations in Tajikistan. Moreover, certain deterioration in constructing a dialogue between non-governmental organizations and state agencies is also noticeable in the country.
In his turn, Sardar Bagishbekov, the project's Regional Coordinator, noted that as follow up to the reports submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan were given certain recommendations, which should be now implemented for the systematic prevention of torture.
«One of the main results, to my mind, is that in all three countries Coalitions were established, which will continue to work in this direction in the future».
The project established a common and objective database of alleged torture cases. It also established new and strengthened existing networks of defenders and journalists, who cooperated closely on documenting and investigating torture-related issues. The project also invested notable resources into capacity-building of defenders and journalists, whose main task was to attract attention of both governments and the wider publics to the problem of torture. In the course of the project, journalists prepared 250 articles on torture.
Human rights defenders hope that new steps will be accomplished in fighting torture in Central Asia at the level of prevention and the adequate punishment for those committing it.
The new EU Strategy for Central Asia aims to strengthen ties between the European Union and its Central Asian partners. It has doubled European Commission assistance to the region to ?750 million for 2007-2013. Tajikistan gets the main share of bilateral assistance (?66 million for 2007-2010) in support to sector programmes, technical assistance and grants. It focuses on social protection, health and private sector development, underpinned by public finance management. Projects aimed at enhancing living standards continue. Tajikistan also receives regional and thematic assistance in areas like border management and drug control (BOMCA/CADAP), education (TEMPUS, Erasmus Mundus), water / environment, human rights and democracy (EID
HR), non-State actors (NSA) and SME development (CA-Invest). The total value of EC assistance disbursed to Tajikistan since 1992 is over 500 million.
10 February 2009 / Electricity supplies to Dushanbe residential customers reduced to 11 hours per day
DUSHANBE, February 10, 2009, Asia-Plus -- The supply of daily electrical power to residential customers in Dushanbe has been reduced to eleven hours.
Starting from today, the Tajik capital residential communities will have four hours of electricity in the morning (from 5:00 am to 9:00) and seven hours in the evening (from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm).
According to Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor, the decision to reduce electricity supplies to residential customers was made by the mayor’s office following request by Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding.
As it had been reported earlier, electricity rationing was introduced in Dushanbe on January 27. The rationing has not affected the strategic sites in the city.
10 December 2008 / 60 Years of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The international community celebrates Wednesday the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration consists in total of 30 articles, but it has had more influence on humanity than any other document in modern history. On this point, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, is sure.
On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the main goal or reference point, to which all governments should strive for. The Declaration affirms the merit of each person, proclaims the universality and indivisibility of human rights, and also the interdependence of the civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, which are inherent in each person.
“Today, the proclamations in the declation are principles, which are reflected in the constitutions and other laws of more than 90 countries of the world,” Pillay noted at a conference in the UN headquarters.
She did express regret in connection to the fact that the fundamental rights and freedoms ensured by the declaration are not yet reality for every person. As reported by ITAR-TASS, the head human rights defender at the UN emphasized that “for many people on our planet, the Universal Declaration remains an unfulfilled promise.”
Pillay also expressed fear about the fact that the current financial crisis can lead to a worsening of the human rights situation in the world, since poverty, in her opinion is “simultaneously the cause and the effect of human rights violations.” In the next months, she pointed out, the international community must put all its efforts into preventing social instability in the world and not rejecting the programs with development aims, “so that the present crisis would not become a tragedy.”
9 December , 2008 / The General Secretary of the UN has Spoken Out Against Corruption
“The world today has been shook by the global financial crisis, caused partly by greed and corruption,” the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon said in a message to mark today the International Day against Corruption. As reported by “Asia-Plus,” an adviser of the UNDP for public relations, Safarbek Soliev, the General Secretary of the UN also noted that confidence in the financial system has been destroyed by the uncertainty in many banks; many people have been deprived of their savings, which they accumulated for their entire lives.
Emphasizing that the difficult position is intensified by a more “quiet” financial crisis, Ban Ki-moon added that in the developing countries, there is embezzlement and energies spent as a result of bribery and other abuses – billions of dollars, which are extremely necessary for these countries for the financing of public health, schools, supplying people with drinking water, and infrastructure. The message was that “for this reason, it is more difficult to provide people with basic services and to reach the objectives of the millenium development goals. It deprives people of the possibility of realizing their basic human rights.”
Recalling that in the UN Convention against Corruption, meaningful actions are provided in order to observe ethics standards and fight against corruption, both in the government and private sectors, the UN General Secretary stated that “it is imperative to ensure the capacity of the Convention and make its norms imperative.” Ban Ki-moon continued, “I expect the creation of an effective mechanism for the review of the implementation of the convention, which, as it is expected, will be affirmed at the next Conference of participating states.” Noting that according to the conditions of the Convention, the situation with respect to bank secrets is not much of an obstacle for the collection of assets. He emphasized that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime actively helps return means to states.
The General Secretary announced that “more actively combatting corruption and stopping the violations of ethical standards is not only for governments and financial institutions,” noting that corruption weakens democratic institutions, undermines the rule of law, and gives terrorists the financial possibility to carry out their criminal activities. In conclusion, Ban Ki-moon emphasized, “Marking today as the International Day against Corruption, let us all do our part to strengthen integrity, play by the rules, and turn the tide against this global menace. As UNODC’s anti-corruption campaign states, your ‘no’ counts.”
Source: “Asia-Plus,” December 9, Dushanbe.
December 3, 2008 / Expert: Tajikistan Needs a Law on Public Television
“State television channels in Tajikistan are most often served by state officials, and furthermore, we see the nonprofessional work of journalists, who frequently present to viewers doubtful economic information.” This was said by Associate Professor of International Journalism at the Tajik National University, Jovid Mukim, in an interview with Asia-Plus, at the end of the round table, “The Possibilities of Creating Public Television in Tajikistan.” He said, “Viewers cannot find impartial programs, and so there are no balanced opinions among the people of Tajikistan on various issues.”
According to him, a similar situation has also taken place in the non-governmental sector of television, as it is of interest to certain people and reflects their commercial interests in programming, which may not be the interests of the population. He said, “I am convinced that the creation of public television today is very urgent. The first public television appeared in Great Britain in the middle of the ‘20s in the last century, and at present, in the world, there are more than 40 models of public broadcasting.” Mukim added that public broadcasting can be systematized according to four characteristics. The first is that it is regulated by law. Second, it can be financed by the state or by a license fee of the population or sponsors, but this will in no way influence the programming. Third, the television will be controlled by society, with a council created that has representatives of different parts of society, including the state, political parties of public associations, and journalists, who choose themselves the general director of the tele-radio company. Fourth, and this is a difference with the policy of programming for the state and private television companies, the interests of the public will be presented, so there will be more educational and cultural programming and other socially important programs. In public television, in his opinion, there is minimum air time for advertisement (not more than 5% of the bulk of programs), whereas in the state television channels it is foreseen according to law as 10%, and on private channels, up to 30%. The Professor considers that “the problem of creating public television is the fact that now there is no law to regulate its activity. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce amendments to the current law on television and broadcasting from 1996 or to adopt a new law on public broadcasting.”
The roundtable event was organized by the public organization, “Khoma,” with the support of the representation of “Internews Network” in Tajikistan. The main aim of the event was to draw the attention of society and government agencies to points of view about creating public radio and television in Tajikistan. The concept of public television was discussed at the meeting, participants were informed about the experiences of other countries in creating and working with this type of structure, the principles and functions of this form of television in contemporary society were shared, and also the relevance of this issue at the current time was talked about. There were one hundred participants at the round table from the Office of the President, the parliament, professors, and the media.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Firdavs Murtazaev, December 3, Dushanbe.
November 30, 2008 / The General Procurator’s Office of Russia has Refused to Carry Out Searches for D. Atovulloev
The General Procurator's Office of the Russian Federation gave an answer to the request of the President of the Foundation for Glasnost, Aleksey Simonov, and the President of the Russian PEN-Center, Andrey Bitov, about the fate of the opposition Tajik journalist Dodojon Atovulloeva, as reported to the news agency Fergana.ru. As reported in the publication, with reference to the representative of the Attorney General's Office of Russia, “at present, in the department for extradition of the Central administration for International-legal cooperation, there are no requests from the General Procurator's office of Tajikistan for the arrest or handing over of the indicated person for criminal responsibility or imposing a sentence.”
The reply states, “The General Procurator's office of the Russian Federation even in 2001 refused to the General Procurator's Office of Tajikistan to hand over Atovulloev. Taking into account the reasons, including the criminal complaint in the republic of Tajikistan against D. Atovulloev, the department of criminal investigation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has reported that there is no assignment to allow for the conducting of searches on the territory of Russia. It remains to hope that if in the Russian Attorney General's Office, there are demands of the Attorney General's Office of Tajikistan for the detention and handing over of Atovulloev, then the decision of 2001 to not extradite the disgraced journalist from Russia to Dushanbe will be cancelled.”
The Tajik General Procurator's Office refused somehow to comment on this information to “Asia-Plus.” However, the attention of “AP” was brought to the fact that on a call with the Foundation for the Defense of Glasnost, on September 24, in the office of the President of Russia, an appeal was brought from Simonov and Bitov, which concerned the “search for one of the most well-known Tajik journalist dissidents in the world.” The directors of the Russian PEN-Center and the Foundation for the Defense of Glasnost insisted in the appeal that Atovulloev would be given either “political refuge or the possibility to leave for a country, where his life and work would not be threatened.”
At the end of September of this year, the General Procurator's office of Tajikistan, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country, opened a criminal case against the founder of the newspaper “Charoqi Ruz,” who is also the leader of the movement Vatandor – Dodojon Atovulloev. The criminal charges are based on alleged violations of several articles of the Tajik criminal code, among which are article 307 (public calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order of Tajikistan) and article 136 (public insult of the President of Tajikistan and slander against him). According to the General Procurator’s Office of Tajikistan, they are searching for Atovulloev and undertaking measures to arrest him. Atovulloev – the founder and publisher of the newspaper, “Charoqi Ruz,” which is published outside the country, lives and works in one of the European Countries.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Nargis Khamrabaeva
November 26, 2008 / The New EC Ambassador to Tajikistan has Presented his Credentials to President Rahmon
The Head of the Diplomatic Mission of the European Commission in Tajikistan, Mr. Norber Justin, has presented his credentials to President Emomali Rahmon.
President Emomali Rakhmon and the Head of the Diplomatic Mission, Norber Justin, examined the relations between the European Union and Tajikistan, the regional context, assistance of the European Commission to Tajikistan, as well as the need for prolonged economic and political reforms in Tajikistan.
The EC-Tajikistan political dialogue was brought to a higher level after the adoption of the EC Strategy for Central Asia, which was recently at the first meeting of the Dialogue on Human Rights and conducted in Dushanbe. The ministerial platform for EC-Central Asia will also provide the beginning for initiatives of the European Union for Central Asia in the next weeks: Questions on the rule of law, cooperation on issues of water resources, and education.
The priorities for cooperation between the European Commission relative to Tajikistan in the following years for bilateral relations will be accentuated in the areas of social protection, public health, development of the private sector, control of public finances and the reduction of poverty, and also at the regional level questions of border control, human rights and democracy (EIDHR), and development. The total figure for EC assistance to Tajikistan since 1992 has been more than 500 million Euros.
Source: Representation of the European Commission in Tajikistan
November 24, 2008 / The UN Committee on Human Rights has Expressed its Views on the Complaints of Tajik Citizens
The Committee on Human Rights at its 94th session (October 13 to 31) expressed its views on the individual communications of the citizens of Tajikistan, Saibibi Huseinova (1263/2004) and Pardokhon Butaeva (1264/2004). The victims according to the communications were the sons of the authors of the complaints. The victims were Ibrohim Huseinov and Tojiddin Butaev, who were found guilty by the Supreme Court of Tajikistan of being members of a gang, murder, and robbery.
The complainants assert that the legal rights of the victims, as articulated in article 9 (1, 2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), were violated. This is because they were illegally arrested and detained for a long period of time without official charges. The complaints state that torture was used against the victims to obtain incriminating statements and guilty pleas, which violates article 7 of the ICCPR in combination with article 14 (3 g). The victims according to the complainants, in preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies, were beaten with clubs on various parts of their bodies, and electric shocks were also used against them.
Also, the complainants noted the violation of article 14 (1) of the ICCPR on the basis of the fact that the court process was not impartial and did not follow the requirements of a valid legal trial. On the assertion of the complainants, the victims were not informed about their rights to assistance from a lawyer and did not have timely access to one, which is a violation of article 14 (3 b) of the ICCPR. In the case of Tojiddin Butaev, according to the author of the complaint, the court process violated the principle of equality between defense and prosecution, which violates article 14 (3 e) of the ICCPR.
According to the individual complaints, the Committee recognized the violation of article 7, in conjunction with article 14 (3 g), 14 (3 b), and 14 (3 e) [as regards only Butaev]. The Committee has called on the government to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into the facts surrounding the use of torture. The Committee noted that in accordance with article 2 (3 a) of the ICCPR, Tajikistan was obligated to ensure to the victims Ibrohim Huseinov and Tojiddin Butaev effective means of legal protection and corresponding compensation. Tajikistan is also obligated to avoid such violations in the future.
Source: Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law. The complete text of the Committee’s consideration of this case in English is accessible on our site at: "Òàäæèêèñòàí â ñèñòåìå ÎÎÍ" or at the following site .
November 24, 2008 / In Dushanbe there are Discussions about Improving the Quality of Programs to Control and Prevent HIV/AIDS in Tajikistan
A training on monitoring and surveying for specialists of programs and projects to control and prevent HIV/AIDS was planned for November 24-25 in Dushanbe. As reported by Asia-Plus in the UNDP, the training was organized by the Center for the Fight against AIDS, together with the UNDP/Project for the Implementation of Grants of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The main aim of the training is the improvement of the quality of programs to control and prevent HIV in Tajikistan. In the work of the training, partners from programs and projects, financed by the UNDP/PRG, including employees from the government and regional centers in the fight against AIDS, infectious disease centers, the Defense Ministry, the Committee for Youth Affairs, and also nongovernmental organizations took part.
At the end of the training, the participants will develop plans with respect to the monitoring and surveying of guaranteeing the effective fulfillment of projects to prevent and control HIV/AIDS, which is increasing in scope among vulnerable population groups. It is important to note that according to the Ministry of Public Health, in October this month, in Tajikistan, there are 1333 people officially registered as HIV-positive.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Nov. 22.
November 26, 2008 / New EC Ambassador to Tajikistan presents credentials to President Rahmon
The Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Tajikistan, Mr Norbert Jousten, presented his credentials to President Emomali Rahmon.
President Emomali Rahmon and the Head of Delegation Jousten reviewed European Union-Tajikistan relations, also in the regional context, European Commission assistance to Tajikistan, as well as the need for continued economic and political reforms in Tajikistan.
EU-Tajikistan political dialogue has increased in calibre after the adoption of the EU Strategy towards Central Asia, most recently at the first Human Rights Dialogue meeting held in Dushanbe. EU-Central Asia ministerial platforms will also launch three EU Initiatives for Central Asia in the coming weeks: on the Rule of Law, on Water and Environment Cooperation and on Education.
European Commission cooperation priorities for Tajikistan in the coming years will focus bilaterally on social protection, health, private sector development, public finance management and poverty alleviation, and regionally on border management (BOMCA/CADAP), human rights and democracy (EIDHR) and SME development (CA-Invest). The total value of EC assistance to Tajikistan since 1992 amounts to over ?500 million.
Source: Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Tajikistan.
November 19, 2008 / In Soghd the Implementation of the Project “People Unite to Prevent Torture” has Started
The implementation of the project “People Unite to Prevent Torture” has started in Soghd Oblast by the public association RDI, Rural Development Initiative – in partnership with the public association Youth and Civilization and with the financial support of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights. As reported to Asia-Plus by the information specialist of Youth and Civilization, Sheroz Sharipov, the aim of the project is assisting in the legal process to prevent torture by strenghtening the institute of national deputies. According to him, the project will entail information-educational and other awareness-building events to increase the level of legal and procedural knowledge of deputies, expanding their skills in identifying evidence of torture during the course of trials, and making the deputies more active in examining criminal cases. Sharipov noted, “Furthermore, it is planned to have an exchange of experiences and skills in Soghd and to strengthen public participation in the course of trials.” He added that the final stage of the project will be the creation of an Association of national deputies in Soghd, which will contribute to the information base of deputies and ensure their active participation in considering criminal cases. He said, “the project is being implemented in the framework of legal reforms.”
Information: The RDI organization was created in the framework of the Development Iniative of Fergana valley on August 13, 2004. RDI has large analytical and methodological potential to implement socially significant projects in the Fergana valley. The public institute Youth and Civilization, a non-governmental, non-profit youth human rights organization, was founded by a young group of human rights activists in 2001. Its mission has been to assist the development of civil society through the support of youth initiatives and their participation in the decision-making process.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Mavluda Rafieva
November 19, 2008 / A Committee of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Considered a Draft Law on Blood Donation
The draft of the law on the Donation of Blood and Blood Products was considered during the current session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli, which took place Monday under the management of the chairman of the house, Saydullo Khayrulloev. Moreover, as reported to Asia-Plus by the press secretary of the Majlisi, Muhammadato Sultonov, at the session drafts of amendments to existing laws were also considered on Cartography; the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in Tajikistan; Registration Certificates; and State Customs. According to Sultonov, the members of the council also examined the question of ratifying the agreement between the governments of Tajikistan and China on avoiding double taxation and preventing tax evasion. The source concluded, “Part of the questions considered were directed to the Majlis for conclusion and the other part was recommended for the start of the agenda of the next session, which takes place on Wednesday, November 26.”
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Bakhrom Mannonov, November 18, Dushanbe.
November 14, 2008 / The Law on Commercial Secrets has been Discussed
The UN Development Program in Tajikistan has started a series of seminars dedicated to discussion of the law, “Commercial Secrets.” This was discussed in a press release of the UNDP in Tajikistan. Events are being conducted in the framework of implementing the project on establishing transparency and accountability together with the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli (the lower house of parliament). The aim of the seminars is the accessibility of state agencies, ensuring the security of people, society, and the government, the awareness of citizens on the activities of agencies and organizations, laws, the authenticity of information, which has potential value on the market and can bring the owner profit or give him advantage in the market, and also the protection of rights to information. In the work of these public seminars, representatives of international organizations, local and central financial institutions of Tajikistan, other government ministries, representatives of the private sector, and mass media took part. The events took place in Dushanbe, Khojand, Kulob, Kurgan-Tube, and Tursunzade.
Source: “Avesta”
November 3, 2008 / Authorities in Tajikistan Promise to Start Financing Civil Society
The parliament deputies of Tajikistan, returning from vacation, and over the course of two weeks, approved about two dozen laws, among which is the law on government orders. The acceptance of this law entails that starting from 2009, the authorities in the state budget will provide for new expenditures that will finance government social-welfare orders. The financing will be provided to Gorno-Badakhshan, Soghd, Khatlon, the cities, and also other regions. As announced by the deputies in the current session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli (the lower house of parliament), the law was adopted with the aim of solving problems of social importance, assisting in solving several public problems, increasing the living standards of citizens, and improving different aspects of spheres of life. Certain activities will be directed towards cooperation with the government, independent of the form of ownership or organizational character.
For more detail, you can find the text of the article here: http://www.vof.kg/tj/news/?news=1871
Source: Valentina Kasimbekova, “Voice of Freedom,” Dushanbe.
November 2, 2008 / Attorneys in Tajikistan are being Prevented from Carrying out their Work
In the constitutional law of Tajikistan on the “Legal Profession,” a particular point of the law indicates that an attorney, who is defending the legitimate interests of citizens, has the right to without hindrance meet with his/her client in private, confidentially, and without time restrictions, including in cases where the person is under arrest. The law also provides for the independence of the attorney, who should be subordinate only to the law and has freedom of speech. Government agencies and officials are obliged to ensure that an attorney can provide legal aid while observing their rights. The law even provides for punishment in the case of illegal obstacles, interference in a counsel’s activity, or showing disrespect to an attorney. However, in practice, this law is far from being observed. A lawyer, who defends the rights of citizens, is often in an unequal position at trial.
Source: Shukhrat Azizov, Voice of Freedom, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
http://www.vof.kg/tj/publications/?publications=418
October 28, 2008 / The European Union Discusses Human Rights with the Government of Tajikistan
The government of Tajikistan and the delegation of the European Union began on Friday consultations on questions of human rights. During the meeting, titled, “Dialogue on Human Rights,” the social and economic, as well as the civil and political rights of the citizens of Tajikistan will be addressed. One day earlier, the European Delegation had a meeting with representatives of human rights organizations and analysts of Tajikistan. The delegation is particularly interested in questions and problems connected to education, access to public health services, child labor, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and freedom from torture. Members of the delegation assured those participating that their proposals and and recommendations will be sent to the members of the government of the country. It was planned that at the end of the consultation with the government, the EC delegation will again meet with representatives of civil society and report on the results of the negotiations with the officials. Also, in the framework of this “Dialogue on Human Rights,” in the upcoming months there will be a seminar for representatives of non-governmental organizations of Tajikistan and the European Union.
October 28, 2008 / A Former Afghan Police Officer has Declared that He is on a Hunger Strike in the Capital of Tajikistan
A citizen of Afghanistan, who was forced to emigrate to Tajikistan, has declared that he is on a hunger strike at the building of the UNDP in Dushanbe. According to Muhammad Vazir, who was presented by Asia-Plus as the former officer for the Kandahar department of police of the department of internal affairs of Afghanistan, he took this step as a sign of protest against the inaction of the employees of the Dushanbe section of the Office of the High Commissioner for Reguees (UNHCR) in deciding the question of assisting him and his family.
Muhammad Vazir reported to Asia-Plus that “in my home country, while serving in the office of criminal investigations for the police, I three times arrested the leader of a terrorist group, but each time, the criminal would use family connections and be released. This spring, with my wife and five small children, it was necessary to request refuge in Tajikistan because staying in my home country with the constant threats from that criminal and his associates became unsafe.”
According to Vazir, he repeatedly appealed to the UN in Tajikistan, particularly the UNHCR, so that he can be provided passage to a third country, as in his opinion, staying in Tajikistan is also dangerous. He reported, “I have confirmed facts. However, the officials of the UN – instead of providing aid, said to me that they will ask the government of Tajikistan to send me with my family back to Afghanistan.”
He also emphasized that his family is in a difficult economic position and his young children and wife are seriously ill. The economic difficulties of his family have resulted from the fact that since April of this year, he has remained unemployed as he cannot find appropriate work in Tajikistan.
He said, “The reality is that the illness of my wife and children are the conclusions of the Dushanbe diagnostic center Shifo, where they said that they have serious forms of depression.” He has announced that he intends to go without food until the head personnel at the Dushanbe office of the High Commissioner on Refugees is subject to international justice. Vazir said, “The day before, in the morning, at approximately 10 AM, employees of the UNHCR came to me and requested that I end the hunger strike, promising to investigate the situation. But I no longer believe the promises, which for half a year remain only promises.”
Muhammad Vazir has no requests for the government authorities of Tajikistan. Moreover, he is grateful to the leadership of the country for giving his family refuge. Meanwhile, today, commenting on this case, the head of the Dushanbe office of the UNHCR, Ilya Todorovich, said that he personally met last evening with Muhammad Vazir, who took with himself to the place for the protect even his small children. He said, “we promised him and his family material support and medical aid for his children. However, he refused this help, after declaring that he will continue the hunger strike.”
According to Todorovich, it was nevertheless possible to persuade Vazir to send his children away from the home. The head of the UNHCR said, “We will in every way possible try to solve the situation in the best way and provide aid to his family in the framework of the UN. However, according to our rules, we cannot on day two provide help to all refugees appealing to us, but in view of the exception, we are required to put a stop to the hunger strike instead of rendering him adequate material aid.”
Todorovich said that in nine months this year in the Dushanbe office of the UNHCR, 1001 refugees have appealed for help. 99% of these applicants are Afghan citizens. This number is almost double the figure from last year.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
October 22, 2008 / K. Zarifi Welcomed the Head of the Mission of the European Commission and Director of the Office on UN and Global Affairs of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Khamrokhon Zarif, one day earlier welcomed the general director of the Department of UN and global affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Peter Wittig. As reported by the information department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, during the discussions, the sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, development of commercial and economic relations between Tajikistan and Germany, and attracting German investment in the implementation of hydropower project in Tajikistan
During the meeting, the two sides touched on questions of regional cooperation, exchanged opinions about the situation in Afghanistan, and joint measures for the strengthening of security in the country. Ambassador Wittig arrived in Tajikistan to participate in the work of the conference on border control to limit narcotics in Central Asia, which opened today in Dushanbe.
On the same day, the head of the Foreign Affairs Department welcomed the Head of the Diplomatic Mission of the European Commission, Norber Justin, who presented to Zarifi his position. The minister congratulated Justin on his posting. During the conversation, the two sides discussed a wide range of questions concerning the bilateral cooperation of Tajikistan and the European Commission. In the framework of his visit to Tajikistan, N. Justin also took part in the work of the international conference on border control and narcotics in Central Asia, which took place in Dushanbe from October 21-22.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
October 21, 2008 / Women Activists of the NDPT Call on Women in the Country to Keep their Political Vigilance
Women activists of the National Democratic Party of Tadzhikistan (NDPT), headed by the President of the country Emomali Rakhmon, issued an appeal to all women in the country. As communicated in the e-newspaper of the paper, www.tribun.tj, where the appeal was published, one of the current problems under close attention of the government of Tajikistan, is the control of customs and traditions in Tajikistan. The appeal says “We consider that the solution to such problems depends a lot on us – women and mothers. Women activists of the NDPT are actively bringing their mite to the implementation of the President’s initiatives to retain and develop the national cultural traditions and customs, while at the same time speaking out against radical extremist tendencies or negative phenomena of a religious character.” In the document, it is noted that that “we (women of Tajikistan) must not lose political vigilance in order not to fall into the network of those people purshing selfish ends against our religious beliefs. We are obliged to protect our children from their influence, because the present and future of our country in many respects depends on a spiritually healthy generation.”
Source: “Asia-Plus”
October 20, 2008 / The Lower House of the Tajik Parliament has Postponed Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol
The current meeting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli, in which 14 issues were considered, took place on Wednesday in Dushanbe under the chairmanship of the speaker of the house, Saydullo Khayrullov. Presenting for the consideration of the deputies the issue of “Ratification of the Kyoto protocol in the framework of the convention of the United Nations on climate change dated December 11, 1997,” the chairman of the parliamentary committee on social questions, family, and protection of health and ecology, Mahbuba Nuritdinova, noted that this document entered the parliament through the government of Tajikistan. She noted, “According to the calculations of the experts, Tadzhikistan, since 1990, as a result of the decrease in the economy, decreased by many times its greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and the ratification of this agreement would not threaten us with any decrease in production. During discussion of this question, the deputy Shodi Shabdolov noted that “without knowing the consequences of the ratification of this protocol for the national economy, it cannot be approved.” The leader of the Tajik communists remarked: “For example, tomorrow any country can assert to us claims of ecological problems, created by our aluminum industry.”
After prolonged debates, on the proposal of the speaker of the lower house, S. Khayrulloev, the deputies came to the conclusion that it was necessary after consultations with the government to return to discussion of this question in the next session. Also, during consideration of the draft law to introduce amendments to the budget of 2008, concerning the release of materials and services from taxes for constructing Rudaki Park, the deputies came to the conclusion that this question can be discussed only given the materials delivered from abroad for creating the park. Khayrulloev noted that “since a similar enumeration of the hokumat of Dushanbe was not granted to us, we cannot take a decision on this question.” He added that consideration of the amendments was also suspended until the next session. Meanwhile, at the session, Saydullo Khayrulloev reported that the parliament of Tajikistan will examine the basic financial document of the country - the draft Budget for Tajikistan – 2009 on November 12.
On September 30, in a government meeting, the draft budget was considered. According to this document, in the next year, the GDP [Gross Domestic Product] will be 20 billion 665 Somonis. The output level will increase by 7.1%, and inflation will be 13%. The budget of the country next year will be 6 billion 8 million Somonis (29% of the GDP), which is 1.5 billion more than the current year. As reported earlier, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmon, named the State Budget in 2009 the budget for economic development. According to the head of state, more than half of the budget will be directed towards building the real estate sector and strategic points, including the construction of electric power lines, industrial units, highways, and tunnels. In the social sector, 2 billion 437 million Somonis will be directed towards the development of education, public health, and social welfare.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Avaz Yuldashev
October 20, 2008 / A Police Officer has been Killed in Dushanbe
In Dushanbe, one day earlier in the morning, another employee of the police was killed. A police sergeant of the division of civil service protection under the Department of Internal Affairs of the Sino-1 region, Odin Davlatov, was killed by a gunshot to the head early in the morning on October 19. As reported to Asia-Plus by the director of the press center of the Department of Internal Affairs of the country, Makhmadullo Asadulloev, the murder of the officer, who was guarding an Orienbank branch office on Mayakovski street, took place from 5 to 7 in the morning.
The source noted that “the murderer entered the building and taking from the officer his weapon, shot him in the head, as a result of which the sergeant passed away on the spot.” Other facts of the crime, on which a criminal case has been opened, are thus far not being reported. According to the Ministry, on the investigation of this crime, a number of the best agents of the office in the country are part of an operational-investigational group under the directorship of the deputy minister of internal affairs – Sharif Nazarov.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
October 16, 2008 / The Price for Electricity in Tajikistan will Increase on January 1, 2009
The next increase in the costs for electricity use in Tajikistan are envisaged for January 1, 2009.
This was reported one day earlier to journalists by the Deputy Director of the Office for Anti-Monopoly Policies and Development of Competition of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade – D. Kurbonov.
According to Kurbonov, the present financial complexities of Barqi Tojik and the requirements of the Asian development Bank and the World Bank for the development of the energy sector of the country means regulation of prices for the consumption of electric power.
He noted, “According to the agreement between the government and the World Bank, tariffs for the consumption of electric power until 2010 on average are 2.5 cents. It is necessary to increase the existing tariffs by 40-50%,” after adding that in connection with this, until 2010, there will be an increase in the prices for electricity twice per year.
The last time the prices for using electricity in Tajikistan were increased was May 1 of this year. Currently, the population pays 4.80 dirams for 1 Kwth (1.4 cents) to use electricity. The cost of electric power for industrial users was also increased to 10.95 dirams for one kilowatt per hour, and for the government aluminum business it is 5.15 dirams.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
October 14, 2008 / In Dushanbe the Draft Document “Improving the Management System in the Government Sector of Tajikistan” has been Signed
The draft document “Improving the Management System in the Government Sector of Tajikistan” was signed one week earlier between the Agency on State Financial Control and Fight against Corruption, the Ministry of Justice, and the UN Development Program. As reported to “Asia-Plus” by the program manager of the UNDP, Alisher Karimov, the draft was developed within the framework of the support of the government of Tajikistan in order to achieve the objectives of the strategy of national development and purposes of the Millennium Development Goals.
Karimov noted, “The establishment of the degree of internal control in the government over its employees is the key factor in the ability of the state to protect its citizens from official abuses by individual civil servants.” According to him, the draft is directed towards assisting with effective government administration in Tajikistan for the purpose of reducing poverty, developing human potential, protecting human rights, and strengthening the basic functions of the state, especially the establishment of security in the country.
The draft is one of the results of the UNDP country program for 2005-2009 for increasing the accountability and transparency of the public sector, and strengthening control and partnership in this sphere at the local and international levels. Within the framework of the draft close collaboration with the basic partners is provided for – specifically the Agency for State Financial Control and Fight Against Corruption, the Ministry of Justice, and also with other government agencies, which are engaged in law-enforcement or other judicial functions.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” October 14, Mavjuda Khasanova.
October 14, 2008 / Questions of Preventing Domestic Violence against Women were Discussed in Kulob
In the Kulob office of the OSCE, the local public organization “Nachoti Kudakon” held a round-table meeting on the theme “preventing domestic violence against women – joint actions”. As reported to “Asia-Plus” by the psychologist of the organization, Tatiana Rachkova, it is already the second year with the financial support of the OSCE that the Organization has had the crisis center “Safobakhsh,” which is directly engaged in these problems. According to her, in Tajik families, the false stereotypes of the second-rate nature of women has not been eliminated and is also the source of many problems.
Rachkova said, “At the same time, it is encouraging that increasingly more people understand the role of women in the family, they give them respect and gratitude,” while emphasizing that there has been action in the Khovaling, Muminabad, and Shuroabad regions, and in Kulob city, to fight for life without domestic violence. It was joined by more than 1,000 people. The Crisis center gives the victims of violence the services of lawyers, psychologists, and there are educational programs for students at local universities. Furthermore, there is also a general service to support women.
October 14, 2008 / The General Procurator of Tajikistan: D. Atovulloev Will Sooner or Later Answer before the Law
The founder of the newspaper “Charogi Ruz,” the leader of the Vatandor party, Dododzhon Atovulloev, is in hiding and will sooner or later be arrested and answer before the law. The General Procurator of the country stated this at a press conference. He noted that according to the law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan, Atovulloev is in France. The criminal case against the founder of the magazine Charogi Ruz was opened by the General Procurator’s office of Tajikistan on the initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the end of September of this year on the basis of several articles of the criminal code, among which are article 307 (public calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional system of Tajikistan) and article 137 (public insult to the President of Tajikistan)
According to unofficial reports, Atovulloev, who founded and published the newspaper Charogi Ruz, which is published outside the country, lives and works in Germany. Let us recall, at the July press conference, the Attorney General of Tajikistan, Bobojon Bobokhonov, named Dodojon Atovulloev an “information terrorist.” In particular, he stated that this person, living abroad, far from his native country, in his articles and appearances, degrades the honor and merit of the Tajik nation and blackens the image of the Tajik state. The General Procurator emphasized that “Dodojon Atovulloev is a man without a country, he never was and never will be a leader.”
At the end of June this year in Moscow, in the information agency “Rosbalt,” a press conference of Russian journalists took place with Atovulloev. According to the Russian media, the leader of Vatandor openly stated that “his native land is on the brink of Civil War”. He said, “We wanted the world community to learn about what is happening in the poor, unhappy, corrupt, burnt out, and trampled country. The typical portrait of the contemporary Tajik: old worn out clothing, dreary outlook, the absence of a smile on the face…”. Furthermore, he said to journalists that he heads the opposition in exile and has not had the opportunity to visit Tajikistan since 2004. Atovulloev also recorded his own forecast: “In fall-winter 2008 in all of Tajikistan, there will take place mass meetings and actions of civil disobedience.”
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Nargis Khamrabaeva
October 13, 2008 / Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner Calls for the Continuation of Efforts for the Universal Cancellation of Capital Punishment
On the occasion of the world and European day for the fight against capital punishment, which is marked yearly on October 10, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the Commissioner for External Relations made a statement, in which she noted, “I am proud of the fact that the EC plays the leading role in the international fight for the end of the death penalty. Although more than half of the countries of the world have already abolished capital punishment de jure and de facto, the global use of this form of punishment is too high. I completely understand the difficult position that the victims of violent crimes are in, but the death penalty is not a solution. On the contrary, it leads only to the redoubling of violence and retribution. The Commission is decisively inclined to continue its work for the universal cancellation of the death penalty by all possible diplomatic channels, and also as the main donor in this particular area.”
The extended statement says that the culmination of the efforts of the EC, supported by many countries of the world, is the adoption by the General Assembly of the UN in December 2007 of the resolution for a world moratorium on the death penalty.
It was said in the address of the European Commissioner that the “EC calls for public debates, the strengthening of public opposition, and putting pressure on countries that speak in favor of retaining the death penalty – for the purpose of attaining universal rejection of this form of punishment or, at least, the initiation of a moratorium as a first step. The EC is also against the death penalty in the framework of numerous international conventions, for example, from the UN.”
Furthermore, Benita Ferrero-Waldner notes that, taking into account that the fight for the cancellation of the death penalty is one of the priority directions of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the political devotion of the EC to this issue is strengthened by the provision of financial assistance in the framework of concrete projects in this area.
- 92 countries and territories have abolished the death penalty for all crimes
- 10 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes except under extraordinary circumstances such as war
- 35 countries have effectively abolished the death penalty in practice. They have left the law on the books, but have not used the punishment for the last ten years. For this reason, they are considered to be adhering to the policy of abstaining from the use of the death penalty.
Thus, 137 countries of the world have abolished the death penalty at a legislative or practical level. Since 2005, ten countries have abandoned the application of the death penalty. However, the statistics on the use of the death penalty around the world remain high. In 2007, at least 1,252 people were executed in 24 countries and no less than 3,347 people were sentenced to death in 51 countries. 88% of all sentences for the death penalty are from five countries: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the United States. The activity of the EU as the world leader in the fight against the death penalty remains urgent and necessary.
Since 1994, in the framework of the European Convention for Democracy and Human Rights, more than 15 million euros were allotted for the support of civil society projects directed at increasing the awareness of society in countries retaining the death penalty through education; information campaigns for influencing public opinion; researching the compliance of using the death penalty in different countries with the minimum international standards; supporting strategies to replace the death penalty; guaranteeing that convicted persons have legal assistance; and also increasing the qualifications of lawyers.
In 2004, Tajikistan declared a moratorium on the death penalty.
October 13, 2008 / The General Procurator of Tajikistan Opened the Case of the Murder of the Commander of the Special Forces Unit Oleg Zakharchenko
The case of the murder of the commander of the special forces unit of the Ministry of the Interior Oleg Zakharchenko has been opened. The circle of those suspected has been determined, but thus far, no one has been arrested. This was reported today to journalists by the Attorney General of Tajikistan Bobojon Bobokhonov. According to him, other details concerning the case cannot thus far be discussed.
Meanwhile, the first deputy general procurator of Tajikistan Abdusami Dadabaev noted that the criminal case in this stage is suspended. He noted, “To complete the investigation a large amount of work is required. But those guilty in committing the murder of Zakharchenko will be punished. After all, Olimpur's murder was committed 13 years ago, but the direct executor of the crime answered before the law only recently.”
O. Zakharchenko was killed on February 2, 2008 in the east of Tajikistan as a result of a clash between the special forces with a regional subdivision of the office of the ministry of internal affairs fighting against organized crime in the Rasht region – headed by the former field commander of the United Tajik Opposition, Mirzokhujo Akhmadov.
Zakharchenko was shot in the head and died on the spot. Four other soldiers of the special forces were injured. According to the official report of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the Garm settlement (Rasht valley), Zakharchenko – together with several members of the force – left to participate in carrying out the meeting of the agencies of internal affairs.
Meanwhile, on October 3, by the order of the interior minister, the regional subdivision in the Rasht regions was disbanded. At the same time, in an interview with “Asia-Plus” the ex-chief of this department, the Colonel of the police, Mirzokhoja Akhmadov, noted that this solution was accepted by the office of the ministry against the background of its meeting with the President of the country, which took place in the beginning of October within the framework of the working trip of the head of state to the Rasht valley.
According to M. Akhmadov, all colleagues of the former regional department of the Ministry gave up their authorized weapons. “We have 14 units of firearms, including 1 grenade launcher, two light machine guns, 5 pistols even 6 automatic weapons,” Akhmad reported, after adding that now he and his six colleagues are situated at the disposal of the office of the Ministry.
According to Akhmadov, from now on, he intends to study economic activity. “The President charged the local authorities to contribute to the creation of conditions for job placement of the colleagues of our department, especially, in the economic sphere.”
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Dushanbe, Oct. 13
October 10, 2008 / N. Bukharizade: The Perception of Corruption in Tajikistan. Where they Give and Take Most Frequently
Perceptions of Corruption in Tajikistan
Tajikistan is among the countries with the highest levels of corruption and took 151st place out of 180.
As noted in a recent study, Tajiks are “pathologically tolerant of extortion and bribery” and material compensation for services is seen as the standard.
The activity of the government agencies in Tajikistan is insufficiently transparent or public. For this reason, the mistrust of citizens in the local government agencies, the law enforcement apparatus, and other state structures is great. An indisputably high level of confidence is reserved only for the head of state. Such conclusions are drawn by the author of a study on national honesty in Tajikistan, which was carried out by the Center for Strategic Research under the Office of the President together with the UN Development Program.
This work gives an estimate of the transparency of the activity of all state and public institutions and also analyzes their contribution to the fight against corruption. As the director of research, Dr. Abdulvakhid Shamolov says, his tasks are to determine the potential of different institutions and agencies of the government and society in fighting against instances of corruption and taking measures against it – “facilitating the establishment in the country of an atmosphere of honesty.”
The Measures of Corruption
According to Shamolov, the authors of the study did not set as their goal the determination of the extent of corruption or the damage arising from it. Therefore, in the report there is no hard data. The scale of corruption in Tajikistan is known to everyone. It is enough to take as an example the rating of the international organization Transparency International, according to which Tajikistan is among the countries with the highest level of corruption and takes 151st place out of 180.
Because of the political will of the President, in recent years, Tajikistan has carried out specific projects in the fight against corruption. In particular, a special law was adopted and a government agency for the fight against corruption was created. Last year that agency revealed almost 500 cases of crimes related to corruption. However, the experts say that the scale of corruption still threatens the national security of the country. According to Abdulvakhid Shamolov, corruption in Tajikistan is systemic and efforts to eradicate it should be system-wide and jointly carried out. Punitive measures will not control the problem.
Where they do give and take most frequently?
The study showed that Tajiks most frequently see corruption in the distribution of land plots and in the areas of business and education. The representatives of the judicial branch, according to citizens, also are dishonest. Distrust of the judicial system is expressed in a comparatively small number of citizen complaints in court for the defense of their rights. Thus, the quantity of complaints in the offices of the procurator in Tajikistan is 15 times more than the number of appeals to the courts.
At the same time the public is skeptical about the struggle against corruption. As noted in the study, Tajiks are “pathologically tolerant of extortion and bribery.” Moreover, material compensation for services to officials is often seen as completely normal. The readiness of people to engage in corruption and the passiveness of institutions of civil society in opposing corruption decreases the effectiveness of the fight against this phenomenon.
The Absence of a Public Movement
The director of the Center for Strategic Research, Sukhrob Sharipov, says that in Tajikistan, there is no anti-corruption public movement, although the public organizations could actually do a lot to change the public awareness of the problems of corruption.
The authors of the study recommend the establishment of an anti-corruption coordination council under presidential control. They propose a large list of organizational, legislative and economic measures to improve the effectiveness of the struggle against corruption by increasing the openness of government structures. In particular, the experts consider it necessary to accelerate the process of creating in Tajikistan an “electronic government.”
Source: Nigora Bukharizade, Dushanbe, October 6, 2008 – “Nemetskaya Volna” http://www.centrasia.ru/newsA.php?st=1223355660
October 9, 2008 / Youth from Soghd Speak Out Against the Use of Torture during Criminal Investigations
Young people from the north of Tajikistan gathered together to contribute to the fairness of legal proceedings and to prevent torture through the strengthening of peoples deputies. This information was reported to Asia-Plus by the information specialist of the public association, “Youth and Civilization” (Khojand) – Sheroz Sharipov. According to him, the project titled, “Participation of People in Preventing Torture” will implement the Initiative for Rural Development in partnership with the public institute “Youth and Civilization” and with the financial support of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.
The project is meant to conduct informational-educational and other development events in order to increase the level of the legal and procedural knowledge of representatives, strengthening the ability of representatives to identify cases of torture during trial procedures, making representatives more active, encouraging them to examine criminal cases, and development of the Institute of peoples representatives as full-fledged members of the court system.
It is planned that the final stage of the project will be the creation of an Association of national peoples deputies of Soghd, which will contribute to informational-technical guarantees for the peoples deputies and their active participation in the course of examining criminal cases.
In the opinion of the project group, the improvement of the public image and significance of the deputies helps in strengthening the legitimacy of legal procedures. Sharipov noted, “This particular project is being implemented in the framework of forthcoming judicial reforms in Tajikistan and works for the purposes of advancing legal reform, democratization of the legal procedures, and encouraging the community to be active during trials.”
He also commented that currently in Soghd there are 2141 deputies, of which – 500 are in Khojand city. They are doctors, teachers, engineers, and directors of different organizations and establishments. Usually the deputies take part in procedures that concern crimes with prison sentences of longer than 5 years. Deputies have rights during sentencing and are with the judge in the chambers beforehand. This guarantees the participation of the community in observing court procedures.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
October 7 , 2008 / The Supreme Court of Tajikistan Sentenced the Final Suspect in the Murder of Olimpur
The Supreme Court of Tajikistan one day earlier sentenced the last suspect for the murder of the correspondent of the Persian service of the BBC – Mukhiddin Olimpur. The native of the city of Vakhdat, Nasrullo Sharifov, was sentenced to 15 years in prison with confiscation of his property. As reported by Asia-Plus in the press service of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan, during the investigation, Sharifov provided evidence that he was not familiar personally with the victim but fired at Olimpur from the Makarov’s gun on the order of his companion-in-arms, the former field commander from the United Tajik Opposition, Nozim Yusufov, with the alias “Eshoni Nozim.” It was noted in the supreme court, “the court recognized Sharifov as guilty of terrorism and creating an armed group for the purpose of attacking businesses, organizations, or individuals. He will spend five years in prison and 10 years in a strict-regime camp.”
Olimpur was killed in Dushanbe on December 12, 1995. In 2003, on accusation of participating in the attempt on Olimpur’s life. The supreme court has condemned the residents of Vakhdat, Adkham Tokhirov and Nazribek Davlatov, to prison. In 2007, in the Olimpur case, another resident of Vakhdat – Aslam Usmonov – was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Then the investigation established that the direct executor of the murder of the journalist was Nasrullo Sharifov, who was hiding in Russia. In Saint-Petersburg, Sharifov was sentenced to seven years for robbery and extortion. In spring of the present year, on the inquiry of the General Procurator’s Office of Tajikistan, Sharifov was extradited from Russia to the law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Avaz Yuldashev
October 7 , 2008 / The President of Tajikistan has Signed a Number of Laws Approved by the Parliament
The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmon, signed 32 laws, which were earlier accepted by the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the country and were supported by the Upper House of the Parliament. As reported by “Asia-Plus” in the press service of the Head of State, among the laws were amendments and changes to the laws on Consumer Rights; Micro Finance Organizations; Limited Liability Organizations; and Public Companies. The signed laws will enter into force after their official publication.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Avaz Yuldashev
September 25, 2008 / Tajikistan is One of the Most Corrupt Countries
“Avesta” – Tajikistan has proved to be among the most corrupt states in the world, according to the yearly report of the international organization, Transparency International and its 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index. At the ranking of 151 with Tajikistan, are also the countries of Belarus, Laos, and Papua New Guinea. Russia on the level of perception of corruption received a 2.1 and took 147th place. Kazakhstan has a 2.2 and is at 145th place.
The Corruption perceptions index, compiled by Transparency International, measures the level of perception of corruption in the government sectors of different countries and is an aggregate index, based on the facts of surveys carried out among experts and in business circles. The Index in 2008 ranks 180 countries (the same number as in 2007) on a scale of 0 to 10, with zero indicating the highest level of corruption and 10 being the lowest. The highest ratings were given to Denmark, New Zealand, and Sweden – with each of these countries receiving 9.3, although right behind them was Singapore with a 9.2. At the bottom of the rankings was Somalia, which received only 1 point and was just below Iraq and Myanmar, which had 1.3 and Haiti, which scored 1.4.
Despite the fact that changes in the index occur slowly, with respect to some countries all across the board, there were some statistically significant changes. According to the press release of the organization, an analysis of 2007 and 2008 shows significant deterioration in the cases of Bulgaria, Burundi, Great Britain, Maldives, and Norway. Similarly, statistical improvements over the last year occurred in respect to Albania, Georgia, Qatar, Cyprus, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Tonga, Turkey, and South Korea.
September 23, 2008 / The General Procurator of Tajikistan has Opened a Criminal Case against Dodojon Atovulloev
The General Procurator's office, according to the statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one day earlier opened a criminal case against the founder of the magazine "Charoqi Ruz," the leader of the movement Vatandor Dodojon Atovulloev Asia Plus reported in the MIA of the country. It was noted in the ministry that "the criminal case is based on article 307 of the criminal code (public calls for the forcible change of the constitutional system of Tajikistan) and article 137 (publicly insulting the president). Accordingly, they are searching for D. Atovulloev and measures are being taken to arrest him. Unofficial sources say that Atovulloev the founder and publisher of the newspaper Charoqi Ruz, which is published outside the country lives and works in Germany.
At a July press conference, the General Procurator of Tajikistan, Bobojon Bobokhonov, called Atovulloev an "information terrorist." In particular, he stated then that Atovulloev, living abroad, far from his native country, in his articles and appearances degrades the honor and dignity of the Tajik nation and blackens the image of the Tajik state. The General Procurator emphasized that "Dodojon Atovulloev is a man without a country, he never was a leader, and never will be." Bobokhonov also noted that if he continues his slanderous activity, we will be forced to open a criminal case and he will be arrested in order to answer before the law."
At the end of June this year, in Moscow, in the information agency "Rosbalt," there was a press conference of Russian journalists with Atovoulloev. According to the reporting of the Russian media, the leader of Vatandor openly stated that his native land is on the brink of civil war. At the press conference, he said, "we would like it that the world community learns about what is occurring in the territory of the poor, unfortunate, corrupt, burnt out, and trampled on country. The typical portrait of the contemporary Tajik: old worn out clothing, a colorless appearance, and the lack of any smile on his face." Moreover, Atovulloev said to journalists that he heads the opposition in exile and has not had any possibility of visiting Tajikistan since 2004. He also voiced his own prediction: "In fall-winter 2008, in all of Tajikistan, there will be mass protests and demonstrations of civil disobedience."
Source: "Asia-Plus," Avaz Yuldashev and Nargis Khamrabaeva
September 22, 2008 / In Kayrakum the Decision was Taken to Create a Coalition of NGOs of Central Asia and Russia on Questions of Preventing Illegal Migration
In Soghd, one day earlier, the work of a two day international forum of NGOs of the countries of Central Asia and Russia on questions preventing illegal migration, protecting the rights of migrants, and fighting human trafficking was completed. The organizers of the meeting, which took place in Kayrakum, were the mission of the International Organization for Migration in Tajikistan, with the cooperation of the Center for Human Rights and the Imran Center, in the framework of the Project of the Central Asia Partnership Group, financed by the partnership of the government of Denmark.
As reported by Asia-Plus, the lawyer for the Center for Human Rights, Afzalkhon Alimov, said that the aim of holding the International Forum was to strengthen cooperation, improve new international contacts, and build new regional and international networks of NGOs in the field of preventing illegal migration from the countries of Central Asia and the negative consequences caused by illegal migration in these countries.
To participate in the international forum, representatives were invited from non-governmental organizations and networks of NGOs from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation, that work in the area of labor migration, human rights, and the fight against human trafficking. During the forum, the participants discussed the current problems in the sphere of migration, protecting labor migrants, and also made proposals to solve the problems. The participants signed an Agreement on Cooperation and Construction of a Coalition of NGOs from Central Asia and Russia on Questions of Preventing Illegal Migration, Defending the Rights of Labor Migrants, and Fighting Human Trafficking.
Source: "Asia-Plus," Mavluda Rafieva, Bakhtier Valiev
September 17, 2008 / In Khojand the Event “Young People against Human Trafficking” Took Place
The event “Young People against Human Trafficking” within the framework of the project “Trafficking and Society” took place on September 16 at the administrative center of Soghd Oblast in the city of Khojand. As reported to the correspondent from “Avesta” by a participant in this project, Nadzhimiddini Shokhinbod, for determining the number of people, who were exposed to illegal trafficking, there are several sources. Shokhinbod said, “first of all, there is information from primary sources, which is when citizens turn to the relevant agencies as victims of human trafficking.” According to him, women most often become involved in trafficking, falling into a network of so-called middlemen. The source reported that “according to some data, those who participate in trafficking as middlemen can receive sums between 1.2 thousand and 1.7 thousand USD.” During the event, there were demonstrations of short films that told about the lives of women, who sold themselves into slavery in search of easy money. The event took place with the financial support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Source: “Avesta,” U. Olimova
September 16, 2008 / The Procurator General of Tajikistan Rejected the Suit of Sayof Mizrob Against Radio “Ozadi”
The general procurator of Tajikistan rejected the suit of the former employee of radio Ozadi against the radio station and will not open a criminal case. This was reported to Asia Plus by the director of the Tajik Bureau of Ozodi, Kudratullo Shakhidi. He noted that “the resolution of the Procurator General once again shows that on questions of covering events that happen in Tajikistan, we have a professional and balanced approach.”
The Tajik journalist, Sayof Mizrob, at the end of July of this year, submitted an application to the Procurator General’s Office on the Tajik radio service Ozodi, where he worked until recently. The action of the journalist was motivated by the fact that the publications of this service, in his opinion, “are insulting to the President, his relatives, the government, and also the procurators and well-known figures in the country.” Mizrob considers the position of Ozodi biased. In particular, in the opinion of the journalist, in recent years radio Ozodi evaluated all of the government's actions “only from the critical side.” In the Office of the Procurator General, Asia-Plus confirmed the denial of Mizrob’s suit.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Avaz Yuldashev
September 15, 2008 / In Tajikistan the Limits on Power Supply are Tightened
The limits on electricity are tightened. From September 11, people will have access to electricity for nine hours a day. From September 1, with the exclusion of the capital, oblast, and regional centers, and industrial cities, during the night hours from 22:30 to 3:30 limits on electricity were introduced. As reported by Asia-Plus in the energy holding company, BarqiTojik, the harsh limit, introduced in accord with the government, affects not only the people but also the industrial enterprises. It was reported in BarqiTojik, after noting that the limits will thus far not affect the capital, that “the power supply to the people will be from 17:00 to 21:30 and from 3:30 to 8:00. For industrial consumers, without debts, energy will be given in limits established in the regions.”
According to the report of BarqiTojik, on September 10, the flow in the Vakhsh river is 556 cubic meters per second and this is 75% of the average monthly standard. The source emphasized that the water level of the Nurek reservoir is 8 meters lower than last year, adding that the measures to tighten the limits were undertaken for the purposes of saving water-energy resources and facilitating getting through the forthcoming autumn-winter period.
In 2007, the limit on the consumption of electricity in all regions of Tajikistan, except Dushanbe, was adopted from October 1. In the capital, the limited power supply was introduced from November 21. The current measures were introduced in connection to the shortage of electricity and water supply in the Nurek reservoir. The limits on the power supply in the country were lifted only on May 18 of the present year, when the flow of the Vakhsh river increased to one thousand cubic meters per second and the electric energy generation was in the order of 50 million Kwth
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Avaz Yuldashev
September 11, 2008 / The OSCE Center in Tajikistan Held a Preparatory Human Dimension Meeting, Preceding the Annual Warsaw Meeting
The OSCE Center in Tajikistan today carried out its Preparatory Human Dimension Meeting, which yearly precedes the Warsaw meeting for governments and civil society. As reported by Asia-Plus in the OSCE Center, the meeting will conclude September 12 in the government complex KokhiVakhdat. The source also reported that at the end of the meeting on September 12, at 16:10, there was a press conference dedicated to human rights and to the annual human dimension meeting. At the press conference, questions such as the right to a fair trial, legislative transparency, democracy, and free and fair elections will be also considered and discussed. Representatives of the OSCE in Tajikistan, government agencies, and civil society participated in the press conference.
Source: “Asia-Plus”
September 10, 2008 / The Embassy of the US Allocated for NGOs and Mass Media of Tajikistan 13 Grants in the Amount of Approximately 95,000 USD
The signing ceremony and transfer of 13 grants to nongovernmental organizations and media of Tajikistan took place today in the embassy of the US. The sum of the grants amounts to more than 94 thousand US dollars. Before the grant recipients, the charge d’affairs of the US in Tajikistan, Nisha Kvast, said that the government of the U.S. will henceforth support the development of civil society, the social sector, and also the legal and judicial support of citizens. For the most part, NGOs that work in the area of jurisprudence and banking obtained the grants. For example, the NGO “INDEM,” the founder of the weekly “Nigokh” will establish with the grant an informational-analytical website.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Avaz Yuldashev
September 4, 2008 / In Tajikistan they will Discuss the Strengthening of Cooperation of NGO Networks in the Sphere of Combating Illegal Migration
The strengthening of cooperation and creating new regional and international networks of NGOs in the region to prevent illegal migration from the countries of Central Asia is planned for discussion in Tajikistan for the middle of September. As the mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Tajikistan reports, within the framework of the project of its Central-Asian partner group, financed by the Danish government on September 16 to 18 in the city of Kayrakum, there is an international forum to prevent illegal migration and oppose human trafficking in Central Asia and Russia.
It is reported in the communication of the IOM that “the purpose of holding the international forum is to strengthen cooperation, improve new international contacts, and create new regional and international networks of NGOs in the field of preventing illegal migration from the countries of Central Asia and the negative consequences caused by illegal migration to certain countries.” In this event participation is expected by 35 representatives of nongovernmental organizations and networks of NGOs from Central Asia and the Russian Federation. These NGOs are engaged in carrying out activities in the area of labor migration, human rights, and opposition to human trafficking.
Source: CA-News (TJ)
September 3, 2008 / Limits on Power Supply have been Introduced into Tajikistan
In Tajikistan since September 1 a limit on the power supply to the population has been introduced – as reported to “Asia-Plus” by the chairman of the energy-holding company “BarqiTojik,” Sharifkhon Samiev. According to the head of the energy company, “The main reason for the introduction of limitations to the power supply is the low level of water, which is observed in our region. In comparison with the last years, the level of our rivers has decreased by 15-20 percent.”
According to Samieva, currently, the volume of water in the Nurek reservoir is 9 meters and 40 centimeters lower than maximum capacity of the reservoir and 6 meters and 17 centimeters less than in comparison with the same period last year. The head of the energy sector in the country emphasized that “During these days in Nurek, second-by-second, 900 cubic meters of water enter, from which 860 cubic meters are used to produce electric power, and the inflow of water is tending to decrease.” Samiev noted that on the basis of the prevailing situation, BarqiTojik, according to an agreement with the government of the country for the purposes of saving water in the Nurek reservoir and increasing the production of electric power in the winter period, decided to introduce limits to the supply of light in the entire territory of the republic from September 1.
“From September 1 throughout the entire territory of Tajikistan, except the capital, provincial and regional centers and industrial cities, electric power will not be given at night from 22:30 to 3:30,” the source underline. The head of the energy-holding company also reported that all customers, who have debts for electricity used will not have access to services. “Power cuts, which occur in the day time, are not connected to the introductions of limit but with performing equipment maintenance and recovery work on the electric transmission lines or substations,” Samiev stated. He also emphasized that Tajikistan toward the end of August completely paid off its debts to Uzbekistan and returned to the neighboring country 900 million KWT(ch) of electric power. “We already concluded agreements with the Turkmen associates about delivering electric power to Tajikistan in the winter period, and according to intergovernmental agreements, Uzbekistan will also supply light to us in winter. On the whole, in the winter period, we will obtain from these countries 1.8 billion KWT(ch) of electricity.”
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Avaz Yuldashev
August 27, 2008 / Unpaid Wages to Workers in Kulob Today Equals Around 80 Thousand Somoni
The total unpaid wages in Kulob amounts to 75,863 somoni, of which more than 30 thousand are debts to businesses and organizations that were accumulated since the beginning of this year. As reported to “Asia-Plus” by the Department of Statistics of the city, most of all of the shortcomings is in the organization of work, correspondingly, and the timely payments to the system of public utilities and services, where the debts to workers amounts to 23 thousand somoni and was accumulated only in the present year.
Construction organizations can in no way pay off 24 thousand somoni, a debt which was accumulated since 2007, but industrial enterprises since the 2007 debts for the payment of wages in the size of 21 thousand somoni in the present year also increased this sum by almost 6 thousand somoni. Meanwhile, as indicated by the source, in Kulob and the region, on average, approximately 16 thousand people leave work, of which 70% are teachers and doctors with general monthly wages in total amounts of 3 million 100 thousand somoni.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Kulob, August 27
August 22, 2008 / I Hope the Upcoming Winter will not be as Harsh as the Previous One – R. Sharma
The World Bank hopes that the upcoming winter in Tajikistan will be not as harsh as the previous one. A specialist of energy in the region of Europe and Central Asia from the World Bank, Raguvi Sharma, said today to journalists that it depends on how effectively the available water resources will be used. He said, “If the total amount of water will be used correctly, then the winter will be considerably better. Currently, the level of water in the Nurek reservoir has reached 900 meters.”
The representative of the World Bank also informed journalists that Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have concluded an agreement for the delivery of Turkmen energy. Moreover, in the fall and winter periods, Tajikistan will also import Uzbek electricity. Sharma also noted that for the upcoming winter Tajikistan’s own energy will be more than 300 Mwt on account of putting into operation the two units of Sangtud-1. Furthermore, Sharma has said that the World Bank is providing assistance for the renovation of the Dushanbe and Yavan heat and power plants and also the Nurek plant. The bank plans to also give assistance to improve the distribution networks for electricity. Sharma emphasized that “All these measures are directed at securing the domestic energy market,” and he also noted that “in the long term, after the gas pipeline that runs through Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan is put into commission, the country will receive Turkmen gas. At the current time, according to him, it is the stage of development of the technical-economic bases of the project, the financing of which will be carried out by the World Bank.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” August 22, Viktoriya Naumova
August 21, 2008 / Tajik Journalists Learn to Correctly and Objectively Cover the Problem of HIV/AIDS
A three day training for journalists on the issue of “Covering in the mass media of Tajikistan the issue of HIV/AIDS takes place in the capital from August 20-22. As reported by Asia-Plus, according to the coordinator for media relations and public relations of the UN Program on HIV/AIDS in Tajikistan, Nasrullo Ramazonov, the aim of the training is the instruction of journalists on the professional coverage of the theme of HIV/AIDS in mass media.
The educational program will be for 20 journalists from electronic and printed media – from the capital, the subordinate regions, and Khatlon. In the course of the event, five trainers from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan will contribute to the knowledge of the Tajik journalists about the correct and objective representation of the issue of HIV/AIDS in the media. Furthermore, the experts will inform the participants about the features of the virus, the means of transmission, how to prevent infection, and the legal and ethical standards for developing journalistic materials on the theme of HIV/AIDS.
As noted by Ramazonov, the participants of the training will also visit the government center for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and they will become familiar with the activity of the public and international organizations working in this field. The source noted that “in the present year, UNAIDS plans to conduct a similar training for journalists in the Soghd region.” According to official statistics, as of July 1, 2008, there are 1,231 HIV-positive persons registered in Tajikistan.
August 21, 2008 / A Resident of Chkalovsk Charges Doctors with the Death of His Daughter
The procurator of the city of Chkalovsk on August 12 opened a criminal case based on Article 129 of the Code (Neglect of Professional Responsibility Leading to Death) against the employees of the Chkalovsk medical-diagnosis center. The plaintiff, a resident of Chkalovsk, Hasan Azizov, stated to Asia-Plus “that because of the incompetence and carelessness of the doctors at the center, his 19 year-old daughter, Lola Azizova, died and was found on treatment at the center.” He said, “How could it happen that a healthy and full of life girl could die in two days while in this medical institution. From my understanding, Lola died from anaphylactic shock, from which the doctors could not bring her out. They took it upon themselves to carry out procedures for which they were not ready.” He emphasized about this that he plans to demand from the center, which is a commercial medical establishment, compensation for moral and material damage in the amount of three million somoni. The doctors of the center and the resuscitation unit of the Chkalovsk city hospital, in turn, declare that they did everything possible to treat and save Lola’s life.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Bakhtier Valiev
August 21, 2008 / The Question of Ratifying the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be Discussed
On August 20 to 22 in Dushanbe, there will be a conference, in which representatives of organizations representing disabled persons from the countries of Central Asia (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan) and Iran will take part. The results of the conference will be prepared as a declaration and appeal to the countries of the SCO about the possibility of ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Source: Bureau of Human Rights
August 20, 2008 / In Khorog the Issue of Developing Civil Society in Tajikistan has been Discussed
Questions about the development of institutions of civil society were discussed by participants of a round table in Khorog. Pamir Media reports that representatives of local NGOs, the mahallas of the city, and print and electronic mass media took part
During the round table, the results of the National Forum of NGOs were discussed. It took place in May in Dushanbe on the initiative of the Development Fund of Tajikistan. Discussion was in particular on the documents of the National program for the development of NGOs in Tajikistan and the Code of basic principles for the activities of NGOs.
According to a participant of the National Forum, the director of the public association Madad, Sababakhor Bulbulshoeva, the round table is being held with the aim of discussing the situation and perspectives of development of public associations in the region, collaboration with government agencies, and businessmen of the area.
Source: IA Avesta
August 19, 2008 / Tajik Journalists will be Professionally Trained to Cover the Problem of HIV/AIDS
A three-day training for journalists on covering the issue of HIV/AIDS is being held from August 20 to 22 in Dushanbe. This has been said in a communication by the representation of the UN in Tajikistan. The event is organized by the UN AIDS program with the assistance of UNESCO, the government center for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and also the Project to Combat AIDS in Central Asia.
The purpose of the training is the instruction of journalists on the professional coverage of the issues of HIV/AIDS in the media. The educational program will involve 20 journalists of electronic and printed media from the capital, the subordinate regions, and Khatlon.
During the event, 5 trainers from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan will contribute to the knowledge of the Tajik journalists about the correct and objective representation of the issue of HIV/AIDS in the media. Furthermore, the experts will inform the participants about the features of the virus, the means of transmission, how to prevent infection, and the legal and ethical standards for developing journalistic materials on the theme of HIV/AIDS.
Participants of the training will also visit the government center for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and they will become familiar with the activity of the public and international organizations working in this field. According to official statistics, as of July 1, 2008, there are 1,231 HIV-positive persons registered in Tajikistan.
August 19, 2008 / An Expert from the Center for Strategic Research says that the Ratings of States by Various Media Sources and Organizations do not always reflect the Real Situation
In an issue of the American journal, Foreign Policy, with the research center Fund for Peace, Tajikistan is rated as the 38th most unstable country in 2008. This evaluation of the situation in the country, in the opinion of the reviewers, essentially reflects the absence of signs of democracy and a gap in economic development from population growth. The term “failed state” as a whole entails a low level of political and economic stability, a high probability of conflict, and the incapacity of the state to ensure safety. The rating is calculated on the basis of 12 criteria, using special methods for assessing conflicts.
The authors of the rating considered demographic parameters, the mass migration of refugees and people, unequal economic development, and the acute deterioration of the economy. Other parameters are lawlessness and the criminalization of government, the decline in the quality of public services, the violations of human rights, and the strengthening of the influence of groups of elites.
In an interview with Avesta, the deputy director of the Center for Strategic Research of Tajikistan, Saifullo Safarov, noted that such ratings, conducted by different international media and organizations, do not always reflect the real essence of things.
The expert noted, “The fact is that these ratings are carried out through a survey of a specific number of persons. Often these surveys are conducted hastily, and it is the opinion that is advantageous to the side conducting the rating that will be calculated.”According to him, it is necessary that the media and organizations engaged in these questions be extremely careful and as objective as possible.
“These or other studies are then published in different world publications. People become acquainted with them through the internet, newspapers, television, and in these studies there are opinions about the situations in this or other countries. Naturally, this adds to the public opinion, and unfortunately, it is not always objective,” Safarov noted. The expert considers that the reader must see each published rating objectively and make conclusions based on common sense.
Source: “Avesta”
August 19, 2008 / In Khovaling there is Concern about the Shortage of Teachers
There is a shortage of about 80 teachers in the general schools in the Khovaling region of Khatlon. The correspondent from Avesta has reported this from the Department of Education in Khovaling. According to the source, this year, in the region, on the order of the Minister of Education of Tajikistan, 20 young teachers should arrive. The source has said that “prior to the beginning of the new academic year, there are still a few days, but thus far, 8 young teachers have consented to work in the local schools.”
According to him, in Khovaling, there are 46 schools with 11,689 students. They reported in the Department of Education in Khovaling that “to guarantee the educational system, we need 528 teachers; however, unfortunately there are only 450, which means that we are short 78 instructors.”
Also, in the Department of Education in the region, they reported that this year 3 schools are built. The source noted that “through resources of the local budget, schools are built in the Jamoats of Lokhuti and Sariosieb. One additional school is being built with the financial assistance of the main construction administration of Khatlon.”
Source: “Avesta,” Safarov.
August 18, 2008 / Security Measures are being Strengthened in Dushanbe on the Threshold of the SCO Summit
On the threshold of the Dushanbe summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan, starting from today, are more strictly carrying out their duties. As reported by Asia-Plus at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, for the most part, security measures will be intensified in Dushanbe, where there will be a meeting of the heads of member states of the SCO.
According to the source, before the event, the number of police officers carrying carry out patrol on the streets of the city will be increased several times. The source emphasized that “before and during the summit, the main streets of the capital will be blocked off, about which drivers will be warned in advance through the media.” According to the statement, from the current time to September 10, all vacations for employees of the law enforcement agencies are cancelled.
Asia-Plus reported from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that “it is expected that the number of guests in the capital, among which will be representatives of official delegations and media, during these days, will be more than 5,000.”
On August 28, in the capital of Tajikistan, there will be a summit of the heads of member states of the SCO. Besides the leaders of the “Shanghai Six,” (Tajikistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan), it is also expected the heads of observer states to the SCO (Iran, Pakistan, Mongolia, and India) and invited guests – the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan – will be at the conference.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” August 18
August 15, 2008 / The Migration Service of the MVD in the Days before the Summit (SCO) is Carrying out Special Operations to Find Illegal Immigrants
Seven foreign citizens have violated the immigration laws of Tajikistan and they are subject to deportation from the country. As reported by Asia-Plus from the Migration Office of the MVD of the country, the illegal persons were exposed during special operations, which were carried out by the Migration Office before the summit of the heads of states of the SCO. The source noted that the employees of the migration office were checking the residences and registration of foreigners in the country. They noted that “during the raids, which will be carried out until August 20, they are checking the legality of residence of foreign citizens, the correspondence of the place of residence to the address indicated for registration. Those who violate the migration law of Tajikistan will be deported.” They added that in two weeks 7 illegal persons were found.
Meanwhile, in the service, they also noted that in conducting the raids, they found 46 Tajik citizens violating the laws of the country. The source said that “these citizens did not have permission to bring in and use foreign workers.” According to the migration office, in Tajikistan, there are 7,700 foreign citizens officially registered, the majority of whom are citizens of China.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Viktoriya Naumova
August 12, 2008 / Mass Media and Press Services of the Government Agencies have Signed a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding
A memorandum on mutual understanding between employees of the press services of government agencies and mass media of Tajikistan was signed on August 9 in Dushanbe on the results of a round table on the theme of “Cooperation between Mass Media and Press Services: Achievements and Prospects.” In the memorandum, in particular, it is recommended that the legislative branch improve the legal bases of access to information, taking into account the special features of activities of mass media. At the same time, the aim of the government to support the creation and development of press centers in all state structures of the country has been expressed. In this case, the need for staffing the press services and expanding their terms of office have been emphasized. In the memorandum, the sides called for the observance of international and national standards of equal access to official information, ethical norms for interaction with journalists and press services, and also objectivity and balance in the coverage of socially significant events. For purposes of wide access for citizens and mass media to information, all government agencies are recommended to create regularly updated websites. Furthermore, participants in the round table expressed their intention to continue the dialogue between the representatives of media and press centers of the country. This memorandum is the result of two working groups meetings of the representatives of media and press centers of the country, initiated by the Independent School of Journalism, “Tajikistan - 21st Century,” with the support of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” August 11, Daler Gufronov
August 8, 2008 / In Kulob a Hot-Line for Labor Migrants has Opened
In the center for the support of civil society (CSCS), Shakhrvand, on August 8, a “hot line” for migrant workers has been started: Through the phone number 93-579-00-16, it is possible to obtain information on work in foreign countries. As reported by the director of the Center, Dodarbek Saidaliev, the hotline is part of the work of the information center for migrant workers. According to him, with the aid of the Center, approximately 50 inhabitants of Kulob have been sent for work in the Russian cities of Krasnodar, Voronezh, and Chelyabinsk. All the migrants were set up in businesses, where they live and work under normal conditions. Saydaliev noted that “now we left for business connections in Tatarstan, there are vacancies in the Nijhnekamsk motor vehicle plant, the business for assembling “Fiats” in Elabuge, and for those desiring, we will additionally propose work also in these businesses.” He indicated that “all direct contacts with Russia is conducted through “Tojikkhorichakor”; therefore, “independent activity” is excluded - everything is agreed to and solved by the accepting side in Russia.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Kulob, August 8, Turko Dikaev
August 6, 2008 / In GBAO, the Editor of Bonuvoni Tajikistan Met with Readers
The editor in chief of the women’s magazine, Bonuvoni Tajikistan (Woman of Tajikistan), held meetings with residents of Gorno Badakhshan.
According to the editor in chief, Khuriniso Alizoda, the meetings with readers took place in Khorog, Darvask, Vandjsk, and Shurgansk. She noted that the meetings were organized for the purpose of popularizing the female periodical and increasing the number of its readers. Proposals and observations of the readers to improve the periodical, which were heard during the conversations will be studied, the editor in chief added. The government political and socio-cultural periodical, Bonuvoni Tajikistan, has been published in Dushanbe since 2006.
Source: IA Pamir Media, Parinoz Azizi, Khorog, “
August 3, 2008 / The Situation of Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan has not Improved - NANSMIT
There are results of the monitoring of freedom of speech in Tajikistan during the second quarter of 2008. As reported by the coordinator of the monitoring service of the national association of independent mass media of Tajikistan (NANSMIT), Abdufattokh Vokhidov, in April - June of the present year, there were 82 reports, which reflect the activities of mass media and journalists in Tajikistan.
According to him, 62 of the reports define the actual position of mass media in light of the socio-legal and political atmosphere of the time period, 15 reflect direct violations of the rights of journalists and media, 5 concern conflicts and indictments, brought against the media and journalists. Furthermore, the coordinator of the monitoring service noted that the law on access of citizens to information was nevertheless adopted in this period and was accepted by Presidential Decree in the strategy of state information policy. All the same, a question of access to information remains pertinent. In the sphere of information communications, the absence of legal standards has been observed, either through explicitly ignoring the standards of laws or heavy bureaucracies, and for various reasons, they reject to grant information to journalists – Vokhidov says, after adding that some leaders of the executive agencies of local government administrations even require journalists to obtain permission from higher bodies or officials.
In comparison with the same period last year the number of cases of violations of the rights of journalists and mass media Tajikistan decreased. However, this is in no way a sign of an improvement in the situation with regards to freedom of speech in Tajikistan - he, said. In this case, Vokhidov noted that in recent months problems have been observed with respect to access to pages of some Internet sites, including ferghana.ru and centrasia.ru.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Dushanbe, Mavjuda Khasanova, August 1
August 1, 2008 / The Police Colonel has Denied Information about Suicide
On July 30, 2008 the editor in chief of the newspaper, Pazhvok, which is printed in the city of Kulob, Abdulmumin Sherkhonov, was unable to obtain information from the deputy chief of the city department of police, Colonel Kayum Talbakov.
As reported by the monitoring service NANSMIT, the journalist wanted to learn details about the inhabitant of the city Kulob, who, the day before, ended his life by hanging himself. Colonel Talbakov, according to Sherkhonov, without any explanations refused to provide the requested information, in no way arguing to defend his denial. “No information!” - was the answer of the critical militia servant, the journalist noted.
Source: Monitoring Service, NANSMIT
http://www.nansmit.tj/news/?id=820
August 1, 2008 / Tajikistan Takes Part in Creating a Center for the Fight against Illegal Drugs
The site of the Russian government reports that Russia plans to sign an agreement with a number of countries to open a Central-Asian regional information and cooperation center for fighting against the sale of illegal drugs and psychotropic substances.
The draft of the agreement has been prepared by the prime minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and has been given to President Medvedev for examination. It is expected that the agreement will be signed by Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
July 29, 2008 / In Dushanbe an Agreement about the Grant of the Global Foundation for the Fight against the Food Crisis has been Presented
Dushanbe. July 29. “Asia-Plus”
A presentation of the agreement about the Grant of the Global Foundation for the fight against the food crisis took place today in the Center for the Implementation of the Project on Community and Public Health. As reported by “Asia-Plus,” the coordinator of community relations of the Center for the Implementation of Public Health Projects, Nargis Kasimova, in connection with the extremely severe winter of 2007-2008 and the world food crisis, the World Bank has set aside an additional 4 million dollars for financing the Project on Social and Public Health.
“This grant is expected to cover the expenditures for guaranteeing additional nourishment and knowledge of nutrition for pregnant and breast-feeding women in all regions of Tajikistan. Furthermore, for these plans, food packets should be acquired for pregnant women and maternity wards in the poorest regions of Khatlon and Soghd regions,” she reported. According to Kasimova, within the framework of the presentation, representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization, UNICEF in Tajikistan, Mercy Corps, the Agha Khan Foundation, the Asian Development Bank will discuss the implementation of the current project, and also the questions of partnership and exchange of experiences.
July 28, 2008 / In Tajikistan Pressure is Again Being Increased against Journalists
Azim Fazylov, Voice of Freedom
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
In November 2003, a decree of the Tajik President for a Strategy of Information Security of the Republic was approved. If in other countries, a similar document were adopted, there would be wide discussion in society and particularly among journalists. In Tajikistan, it was done without publicity, and the overwhelming majority of journalists know nothing about the contents of this document.
Meanwhile, this multi-page document contains four chapters, in which there are outlines of security methods, the main position of state political security and the organizational basis of informational security of Tajikistan. In theory, it is designed so that the information security of the country is one of the components of the national security of Tajikistan and will affect the protection of national interests.
In this document, however – as in any government document – there is an emphasis on the need to strengthen state mass media, the expansion of its broadcasting, increasing its effectiveness, and the legal securing of the priority of developing national communication networks. This is together with the prescribed “refinement of the status of foreign agencies, mass media, journalists, organizations, which allow information-communication, grants information-communication networks, and also the investors in information infrastructure.”
Together, with the planned measures for the creation of a security system, there has been prescribed the “prevention and suppression of law-breakers in the information sphere, and also exposure, calling to court, and conviction of those, who committed crimes in the information sphere.” The “establishment of responsibility for official and legal persons and citizens for the nonobservance of the requirements of information security” is also not left out.
As regards to threats, the strategy looks at intelligence and information agencies, the exclusion of Tajikistan from outside information markets, the development by other states of strategies of informational warfare, which is a dangerous action in the information sphere of other countries, including violations of their normal functioning, and also obtaining unsanctioned access to them and many other questions concerning the defense of internal information.
At the same time, as any strategy would, it presents a system of official views on the purpose and tasks of providing Information Security, and it does not contain the specific measures of punishment or prosecution of anyone, limited in the receipt of information, or moreover, the persecution of individual, critical-thinking, journalists. However, the consequences of the adoption of the strategy have been precisely in this direction.
Confronting the reality of the strategy for journalists was soon necessary in practice. In October 2006, Tajik internet users discovered that some popular sites, the Information agency fergana.ru, the CentrAsia site, and a number of others could not be accessed. Subsequently, it turned out that the communications regulating agency of the Ministry of Communications circulated to Tajik providers a letter with the order to block the sites, with official reference to the Strategy on Information Security. Although nothing is mentioned in the Strategy about the blocking of sites, this development was precisely initiated naturally on the order of the government and the regulating body of the Agency.
This decision caused a storm of criticism, not only by local internet users, but also among a number of international organizations and NGOs. Literally, after several days, the blocking of “bad sites” was stopped. But apparently, the authorities, after this, did not refuse completely the technical means of war but simply started to use it selectively and not so openly.
Now, after two years, many journalists, who work for foreign mass media, note the complete or partial blocking of their mailboxes and the impossibility from their working computers to open certain sites. An employee of the Dushanbe Media - Resource Center of the OSCE, that provides journalists with the Internet, said that after he obtained the accreditation of the Ministry for an Internet-publication that previously had been subject to restriction, their site was blocked. The provider, to whom he turned for help, referred to the same order to the Media Resource Center.
The photo-correspondent of ITAR-TASS also complained that, in order to work on the Internet, it is necessary to go to an Internet- cafe, despite the fact that home computers work. “Why can I not send mail or open specific sites at home, but on any other computer I can do this without problems?” – he said surprised.
The implementation of the Strategy on Information Security was again addressed at a closed session of the Security Council, which took place this month. A decision was adopted to create a Committee on Information Opposition under the Office of the President of Tajikistan, the basic aim of which will be the promotion of a positive image of Tajikistan. The committee will be composed of seven members, who are responsible for reacting to negative publications about Tajikistan, arranging for official answers, or attaining proof that would contradict discrediting information about the regime. A reasonable question arises: Will this not affect “reaction” and in what ways will Tajik journalists express themselves?
In the press, there has also been a report that recently employees of the Ministry of the Interior and Committee on State Security visited the editorial staff of practically all mass media in Tajikistan, conducting explanatory work about which materials and articles are undesirable to publish.
Demonstrating its control, the Ministry also called the correspondents from Reuters and BBC and held conversations about the need for restraint and objectivity in covering events in Tajikistan. These “conversations” are held regularly by the Ministry with writers, in proportion to the appearance of critical articles or undesirable information. Most often, correspondents prefer to be quiet about receiving such reactions, not desiring to lose accreditation, and respectively, their work.
At a quarterly press conference, the Attorney General of Tajikistan, Bobojon Bobokhonov called Dododzhon Atovulloev, the editor of the newspaper, Charogi Ruz, who has already been living many years in Moscow, an information terrorist. Bobokhonov stated, “If he continues his slanderous activity, we will be forced to open a criminal case against him and he will be arrested by any means possible to be responsible before the law.” The cause was the statement of Atovulloev that “Tajikistan was on the verge of civil war, while in Fall-Winter 2008, all over Tajikistan there were mass meetings and actions of civil disobedience.” He also said that Tajikistan was a poor, unfortunate, corrupt, burnt out, and trampled on country.
Experts consider that one cause for the current pressure on journalists was the critical presentation of the local and foreign mass media of three unsuccessful operations of the government, which entailed the loss of innocent civilians, caused dissatisfaction of the population, and meetings in Panjikent, Khorog, and Kulob.
The political analyst, Askar Rakhimov, has said that these measures are an attempt to put a good face on things. “The aggravated economic and political crisis cannot be hidden either from the people or from the world community. And no government measures will help to improve the image of the country faster. On the contrary, they will lead to condemnation of the regime, which is closing the mouths of journalists.”
Source: http://www.vof.kg/tj/news/?news=1692
July 28, 2008 / Tajikistan has Declared a Suspension of Checks of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
Dushanbe - July 26, “Asia-Plus”
By decree of the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, dated July 25, 2008, there will be a freeze on all types of verification of small and medium-sized businesses.
As reported by “Asia-Plus,” in the press service of President, the order was issued with the aim of supporting and further developing small and mid-sized businesses and the creation of favorable conditions for the attraction of investment. The moratorium, according to the source, has been declared for two years. Meanwhile, according to the decree, the suspension does not change the checks concerning the laws on criminal matters.
It was noted in the press service that “Representatives of the verification agencies and the executive bodies of the government of GBAO, Dushanbe, the oblasts, cities, and regions, are charged with taking measures to fulfill the edict. The government is charged with taking measures to bring the decree within a three-month period into compliance with the normative and legal requirements and to develop drafts of the corresponding normative legal acts, arising from the order and to present them for consideration to the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli.”
July 26, 2008 / Prison Conditions in Tajikistan
The conditions of imprisonment in Tajik jails were communicated to journalists on Wednesday by the Deputy Minister of Justice, Azizmat Imomov.
According to him, in practically all penitentiaries of the country, there are additional services, which help to diversify the food allowance/rations for prisoners. Imomov said, “As a whole, all establishments are in a good state, from year to year, the amount set aside by the budget of the country to improve the prison conditions for inmates increases. The only establishments, which are in a deplorable state are the pre-trial detention facilities in Khujand and Kulob, which were built in the 1930s of the last century, but I believe, in the very near future, this problem will be solved.”
According to the Deputy Minister, more information, which relates to the department of correctional affairs of the Justice Department, can be obtained at a separate press conference of the agency, which will take place soon. Meanwhile, according to the data of the Agency, in the republic today, there are 14 penitentiaries functioning. As reported in the Supreme Court, in the first half of the year in Tajikistan, 3,105 people have been convicted on charges of carrying out different crimes, of which there were 387 women, 6 less than the number in 2007, and 206 were minors (in the first half of the year in 2007 - 162).
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Dushanbe, July 24
July 24, 2008 / The OSCE Center Supports a Summer School on Public International Law and Human Rights
Dushanbe. July 24. “Asia-Plus” – The summer school on public international law and human rights, conducted by the Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law, with the support of the OSCE Center in Dushanbe, started its work today in Varzob.
As reported by Asia-Plus, the first assistant for public relations of the OSCE Center, Firuza Gulomaseynova, the aim of the summer school is the instruction of 20 students from the faculties of economics in universities in Dushanbe, Khorog, Kulob, and Khujand on the bases of theory and practice of human rights and enforcement mechanisms. According to her, this is already the eighth summer school taking place with the support of the OSCE in Dushanbe.
“This year, the school will be carried out in collaboration with other international agencies, including the UNHCR and the SDC,” Gulomaseynova concluded.
July 24, 2008 / The Supreme Court of Tajikistan Resumed the Court Hearing on the Case Concerning the Murder of the Russian Journalist
In the Supreme Court of Tajikistan on June 22, the court hearing of the case concerning the murder of the Russian journalist, Ilyas Shurpaev recommenced. Two citizens of Tajikistan, Masrurjon Yatimov and Nadjmiddin Mukhiddinov are charged with carrying out this crime. They are charged with committing crimes in violation of article 104 of the criminal code of Tajikistan (murder), article 249 (robbery), and article 255, section 2 (intentional destruction or damage of property).
The first day of the court proceedings started on July 18, however, on request of the lawyers, the hearing was postponed on account of the fact that the attorneys had not had the time to become acquainted with the materials of the case, which consists of four volumes.
Presiding over the matter is Supreme Court Justice, Shukhrat Azimov. The state is represented by Azimjon Abduev, a representative of the General Procurator. The course of the trial is being observed by journalists and representatives of human rights organizations.
The journalist, Ilyas Shurpaev, who was working for Channel One of Russian television was killed on the night of March 21 in his apartment. On suspicion of carrying out the murder were two citizens of Tajikistan - Masrurjon Yatimov and 20-year-old Nadjmiddin Mukhiddinov, who the following day departed to their home country. Officials of the law enforcement agencies of the Russia communicated to their Tajik colleagues preliminary information about the suspects, who were arrested the same day.
Author: Zarina Oripo
July 16, 2008 / Tajikistan was unanimously invited to be a permanent member of the organization of the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) during the last meeting of the organization
Avesta has reported this in the press center of the Agency to Combat Illegal Drugs in Tajikistan. It is reported that the first meeting of IDEC called for a guaranteed exchange of information and the enhancement of cooperation of activities in the implementation of legal measures to combat the illegal trade in drugs. It will allow for the provision of financial support for the investigation of criminal cases against the leaders and members of transnational organized crime groups. The first session of the International Conference against Illegal Drugs took place in 1983 in Panama. Currently, there are 91 countries that are permanent members. The director of the Tajik Agency, Rustam Nazarov, took part in the work of the XXVI session of IDEC, which took place in Istanbul from July 8 – 10, after releasing a survey of the situation of illegal drugs in Tajikistan and the measures taken in the fight against drugs.
Source: Avesta
July 14, 2008 / The General Procurator says that Dodojon Atovulloev is an Information Terrorist
“Dodojon Atovulloev is an information terrorist,” says the Attorney General of Tajikistan, Bobojon Bobokhonov about the leader of the Tajik movement “Vatandor,” the editor of the newspaper “Charogi Ruz,” which is published in Moscow to the information terrorists.
At the press conference, which took place today, he stated that this person, living abroad, in his articles and appearances degrades the honor and dignity of Tajikistan and blackens the image of the Tajik state. “Dododzhon Atovulloev, a man without a native land, never was nor will ever be a leader,” emphasized the Attorney General. Bobokhonov also noted that “if he continues his slanderous activity, we will be forced to open a criminal case against him and he will be arrested by any means in order that he answer before the law.” At the end June of this year, in Moscow in the information agency “Rosbalt,” a press conference with D. Atovulloev took place. According to the reports of Russian media, the leader of “Vatandor” openly stated that “his government cost the Civil War.” “We would like that the world community would learn about what is happening in the territory of the poor, unhappy, corrupt, burnt out and trampled country,” he said at the press conference. “The typical portrait of contemporary Tajikistan: the old worn out clothing, the dim view, the absence of smiles on face…”
Furthermore, D. Atovulloev said to journalists that he heads the opposition in exile and has not had the possibility to visit Tajikistan since 2004, and he also gave his own forecast: “In the Fall-Winter 2008, all over Tajikistan, there will be mass meetings and actions of civil unrest.”
Source: http://www.mynet.tj/news/?sahifai=300&clips=17920&clipscat=1
July 14, 2008 / In Rostov 40 Citizens of Tajikistan have been Freed from Slavery
Rostov police have freed 40 citizens of Tajikistan, who were illegaly kept by criminals for a long time in a waste processing plant. This was reported on Friday, July 11, 2008. A representative of the press-service of the GUVD in the Rostov provice, Constantine Rosin, reported this to RIA, Novosti.
The police obtained information that at the waste plant, located at one of the garbage dumps in Rostov-on-Don, there were 50 citizens of foreign countries illegally retained and working, the source said. In the course of investigation, according to him, the militia discovered 40 citizens of Tajikistan, who for a long time were kept at this plant.
According to the investigation, the recruiters in Tajikistan offered the work in Russia, then they transported those agreeing to Moscow, and from there - to Rostov-on-Don. The “employers” bought the citizens of Tajikistan for a price of 5 to 7 thousand rubles, took away their documents, and the people in fact worked for food,” Rosin explained. According to the operatives, all citizens of Tajikistan were registered in Rostov-on-Don. “They lived in barracks, and there a kitchen was even placed on the dump by the Tajiks. Furthermore, a building was constructed, resembling a mosque,” says the representative of GUVD.
The persons, participating in this crime, it is established, will be brought to court to face criminal charges.
July 14, 2008 / Police Discover Migrant Workers from Tajikistan in a Rostov Dump
The operatives of the UBOP GUVD from Rostov province, getting information, discovered that one of the dumps of the waste disposal plant in Rostov-on-Don had approximately fifty illegal migrants from Tajikistan. IA REGNUM reported this in the press service of the GUVD in Rostov province. As explained, these people were recruited for high-paid jobs in Russia even inside Tajikistan. The employers showed photographs to them, told them that they would be working in a factory that produces plastic containers, and live in a spacious, well-lit hostel. When the Tajiks were brought to Rostov, their documents were confiscated and they left to work for their food. The work of the illegal migrants consisted of sorting garbage in a gigantic squalid area.
The workers also lived in the dump. Long bunks in several tiers substituted for beds, and wooden walls hastily hammered together were a house. Located there also a storage for products, a kitchen, and a shower. The employers even allowed them to construct something resembling a mosque so that they could pray. The investigators explained that the employers bought these workers from recruiters for 5,000 rubles a person. After completing the transaction, the suspecting worker passed for an unlimited time for the use of the owner. Two enormous sheep dogs guarded the area of the waste disposal facility. At present, the investigators have established the identities of all members of the group, which illegally used foreign labor in order to press criminal charges. Almost all of the freed Tajiks lacked the legal right to work in Russia. They are now being checked by employees of the UFMS.
July 11, 2008 / The Ambassador of Germany and the Head of the PIRT Exchanged Opinions about the Situation in Tajikistan
A meeting of the German Ambassador to Tajikistan, Rainer Mueller, with the chairman of the Party of the Islamic Revival of Tajikistan, Mukhiddin Kabiri, took place. As reported by Asia-Plus, the leader of the analytical center of the PIRT, Khikmatullo Saifullozoda, the two sides exchanged opinions within the framework of farewells to the German ambassador, who in the next few days will complete his diplomatic mission in Tajikistan. According to the source, they exchanged opinions about the situation in Tajikistan for the two years that Mueller has been the ambassador in Tajikistan. Saifullozoda quoted the German ambassador for having said that he “began work with great optimism, however, at the present, this spirit is weak.” Saifullozoda reported that “Speaking about recent events in the country, the sides agreed that Tajikistan is a country with a very specific character, where the people feel responsibility more than authority.” Concerning the PIRT, the source reported, the ambassador welcomes the position of the party, which is involved in respect to events and trends in Tajikistan.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” Daler Gufronov, July 10.
July 9 2008 / Problems in the Fight against Torture have been Discussed in Dushanbe
A round table on the theme, “Tajikistan and the UN Committee against Torture, One Year Later: Achievements and Future Problems” took place today in Dushanbe. Among the 30 participants were deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, representatives of the executive branch, ministries, departments, judges, employees of law enforcement agencies, and also representatives of the sciences, civil society, and international organizations. They gathered together to discuss the recommendations of the UN Committee against Torture, to analyze the status of their adoption by the government in the last year, and also to create together an action plan to realize those recommendations.
The organizers of the event are the UNDP and its project, “Peacebuilding and Advancing Human Rights in Tajikistan,” the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, the OSCE Center in Tajikistan, and Department for Constitutional Guarantees of Human Rights under the executive branch of Tajikistan. Experts invited to the event are representatives from the Association for the Prevention of Torture, Matthew Pringle and Vincent Ploton. It was emphasized at the event that “Freedom from torture is a fundamental and absolute freedom for man, the violation of which can never be justified, no matter what the circumstances: neither during armed conflict nor during a state of emergency of a government, and its representatives do not have the right to use torture or other cruel and inhuman treatment.”
An absolute majority of states have recognized or ratified the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment. In particular, Tajikistan ratified the Convention on February 10, 1995. In 2002, the government began preparation of its initial report on the fulfillment of its responsibilities towards the Convention, and in November 2006, the UN Committee against Torture considered the report and gave its final recommendations.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” July 8, Nargis Khamrabaeva
July 9, 2008 / The Leader of the PIRT and an Expert from IFES Discussed Preparations for the Upcoming Parliamentary Elections
In the office of the Party of the Islamic Revival of Tajikistan (PIRT), one day earlier, there was a meeting of the leader of the Party, Mukhiddin Kabiri, with an expert on voting rights of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Tigran Karapetyan. As reported by Asia-Plus, the director of the analytical center of the PIRT, Khikmatullo Saifullozoda, the main theme of the meeting was the upcoming parliamentary elections, which are planned in Tajikistan for February 2010. Saifullozoda reported that the “IFES expert welcomes the active participation of the representatives of our party in the development of alternative proposals for changes and amendments to the law on elections for central and local majlises of the parliament, which were initiated by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.”
Within the framework of the project, “Professional Assistance in Reforming Elections in Tajikistan,” the IFES organization prepared alternative drafts of the improved law on Elections in the Madzhlisi Oli and on Election of Deputies to the Local Majlises of Peoples Deputies, which, on July 8, must be signed by the appropriate persons from a number of political parties, the Central Election Commission, the parliament and the Tajik government. According to the source, Kabiri then noted that his party has its own version of the laws on parliamentary elections; however, if IFES entrusts that the new version of the laws will be worked on by deputies from PIRT, then the party will forego the idea of presenting its own version of the laws. “After all, the drafts of this organization, the development of which we actively participated in, benefits PIRT”, Kabiri noted.
According to the information, Kabiri asked Karapetyan to conduct negotiations with the representatives of the executive body of the President, to report to them the importance and meaning of the sense of the new version of the laws.
Source: “Asia-Plus,” July 8, Daler Gufronov
July 7, 2008 / A Number of Residents of Khorog will be Evicted from their Homes
As reported by the first deputy chairman of the city, Abdullo Khudoiberdiev, in the place of three houses, which should be torn down, a Youth Theater will be built. He noted that the residents of these homes will receive money for building new residences. The occupants of the houses think that the sum proposed to them is disproportionate to the real value of their houses. According to Bakhtibek Asalbekov, “the authorities promised to allocate housing, but when it will be, we don’t know, after all, in Khorog, the construction of buildings is not taking place.”
Source: “Asia-Plus,” and “Pamir Media,” July 7
July 7, 2008 / The Media Association Discusses the Possibility of Dialogue with the Licensing Agency KTR.
The development of an open dialogue between the licensing agency and the Tajik television and radio association became the central objective of the conference, which began on Friday, in Dushanbe. The organizers of the conference are the leading media associations of the country, the Association of Independent Electronic Mass Media, the Union of Journalists and NANSMIT, and also the Media-Alliance of Tajikistan – with the support of the OSCE and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Tajikistan. On the first day, there were reports presented by the chairman of ANESMI, Muso Asozoda, and also the director of the public organization “Khoma,” Shakhlo Akobirov, and a number of representatives of mass media, ministries, and departments of the country.
Active discussion erupted after the appearance of a member of the Licensing Commission, chief of the administration of the Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting in Tajikistan, Barakatullo Abdulfayzov, who was accused of non-professionalism and suppression of publicly important information. In particular, participants of the meeting requested the opening of documents that regulate the activity of the Licensing Commission and others. Documents were presented directly in the course of the conference, and at present, lawyers, who specialize in the area of mass media have started to study them. Abdulfayzov indicated a number of reasons, for which the whole group structure, providing a claim for a broadcasting license, could not obtain it. It is expected that the results of the conference will include work of the participants in which they will propose to re-examine legislation in the area of licensing electronic mass media in the country, having in particular proposed a new position on the Commission, the regulations of its work, the principle for forming the composition of the Commission, the new forms supplied by the licensee’s statement, and the classification of television and radio programs among others.
Source: “Avesta,” July 4
July 4, 2008 / Today in Dushanbe there will be a Presentation of Curricula on Journalism
Bakhrom Mannonov
Round Table – On July 4, there was a presentation of three curricula in journalism of the Association of Journalism Instructors, “Jomea va Tammadun,” with the financial and organizational support of the Mass Media Program of the Open Society Institute’s Foundation for Assistance-Tajikistan.
As Asia-Plus has reported, the PR-Specialist of the OSI Foundation, Rukhshona Olimova, has said, the main goal of the action is extended discussion and introduction of possible amendments to the finished versions of the curricula, developed for the project, “Development of a Journalism Curriculum,” carried out by “Jomea va Tamaddun” with the assistance of the instructors of journalism from three universities, the Tajik State National University, the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University and the Khojand State University.
According to Olimova, in the framework of the current project, the Association carried out the second summer camp on “contemporary procedures for teaching journalism,” where they held instruction for 20 teachers from all departments and faculties of journalism, with the assistance of the chairman of the department of contemporary periodicals of the department of journalism from Ural State University, B. Oleshko.
“On the completion of the first phase of the project three working groups were selected, and the plans with respect to the development of the curricula were affirmed,” continued Olimova. “At the beginning of June of the present year, the developed programs work in three directions: Professional ethics of journalism, management of mass media, and the legal bases of activity of the journalist – which were considered by high educational establishments.”
In the event, instructors of journalism, representatives of mass media, relevant ministries and departments, and also the diplomatic corps.
Information: The Association of Journalism Instructors was registered in December 2006 on the initiative of participants in the Summer school for the instructors of journalism in 2006. The central objective of the association is contribution to the reformation of journalistic training, introduction of innovative procedures in the process of instruction, and the preparation and standardization of textbooks and teaching aids in journalism.
Source: http://www.asiaplus.tj/news/41/34014.html
July 4, 2008 / Transparency International: Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are among the Most Corrupt Countries in the World
According to the report, Corruption Barometer, prepared by the international organization "Transparency International" Tajikistan is among the 30 most corrupt countries of the world. According to the report, Tajikistan received a rating of 2.1. The same rating is in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The rating was based on a 10-point scale. The higher the index number, the lower the corruption. The most corrupt states are acknowledged to be: Myanmar, Somalia, Iraq, Haiti, and Uzbekistan.
Source: IA Regnum
July 3, 2008 / In Khorog a Protocol has been Signed for Purpose of Maintaining Law and Order in GBAO.
Khorog. July 2, “Asia-Plus” - A protocol of intentions with the purpose of maintaining law and order in GBAO, in particular, in Khorog city, in the presence of the chairmen of GBAO and the city of Khorog, was signed by representatives of some public organizations, the leader of the government working group, the interior minister of Tajikistan Mamadnazarom Solekhovym, leaders of power structures, and by the inhabitants of the region, Imomnazar Imomnazarov, Tolibbek Aembekov, Edgorsho Mamadaslamov, and Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov.
As reported by “Asia-Plus” and the administrations of the chairman of GBAO, the protocol determined the need to curtail any kind of interference of citizens in the accomplishment of mission and responsibilities of the local organs of power of the state, power structures and legal agencies, provided by the laws of Tajikistan, and the problems, brought before them, by the management of the country.
According to the source, henceforth any debatable questions must be solved as provided by the legal order by means of appealing to the appropriate structures of the local government agencies.
The administration of the head of the region said: “To all citizens, who illegally store weapons, or having information about illegally stored weapons, is required to hand them over to the appropriate agencies by July 14, 2008. Any unsanctioned meetings, gatherings, or processions destabilizing to the social-political situation and order in the region are prohibited.”
Furthermore, according to the source, the deployment and relocation of troops and subordination of the power structures of Tajikistan to military subdivisions are acknowledged as an exceptional scope of power for the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces – the President of Tajikistan, and any kind of interference of the citizens and the persons without rights in this process, and also the activities in GBAO indicated above, in any form, are considered unconstitutional actions.
The inhabitants of the region, Imomnazar Imomnazarov, Tolibek Aembekov, Edgorsho Mamadaslamov, and Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov, together with the representatives of the government agencies of the region, are charged with carrying out the part of the protocol on the complete delivery by the population of illegally stored weapons by July 14.
The source emphasizes that the activity of the government working group in GBAO will be continued until the complete seizure from the population of the region the illegally stored weapons. In the document, there is a call to the inhabitants of GBAO to in every way possible contribute to the realization of the measures for the stabilization of the social and political situation and to guarantee a peaceful life in the region.
Meanwhile, as it became known to “Asia-Plus,” in the Ministry of the Interior of the country, the interior minister, Lieutenant general Makhmadnazar Salikhov, the day before completed his working trip to GBAO. Over the period of more than 10 days (since June 20, 2008), the head of the Ministry, which headed the working group, created by special order of the President, was located in the administrative center of the GBAO.
This order of the Head of State was initiated by an appeal of influential inhabitants of the regional center, Imomnazar Imomnazarov, Tolib Ayembekov, Edgor Mamadaslamov, and Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov, who along with the concern about the redeployment of the forces of the Defense Ministry and the security structures for the protection of state borders, certified the management of the country about its readiness “to support all undertakings in the sphere of further strengthening law and order in the territory of the region.”
Officially the MVD declares that the steps of the activity of the working group “as a whole, in the present situation, in all parts of the region, is completely stable, and in the realization of their direct responsibilities for the guarantee of law and order by the law-enforcement agencies, they have had no difficulties, the population is occupied with the peaceful labor and there are no bases for any dissatisfaction.”
“Furthermore, within the framework of the campaign for the voluntary surrender of weapons, which is illegally stored among the population, only in the first weeks of the work of the group headed by the interior minister, about 60 units of firearms were returned, which were illegally stored among the population of Khorog,” declares the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan.
July 2, 2008 / Lawyers in the Soghd Region Decide their Fate
In the city of Khojand, with the support of the section of the Open Society Institute – the Development Fund in Tajikistan, a round table took place on June 25 on the theme: “Reform of the Legal System in Tajikistan in the Field of Judicial Reform,” in which attorneys of the Soghd region took part. During the round table, the attorneys discussed the activity of the legal profession in the region, what difficulties they encounter, and the methods for solving them. For solving these problems, the organizers of the event proposed “The Concept of Legal Reform in Tajikistan,” developed by the working group, among which were members of the country’s Bar, members of the Soghd Bar, attorneys, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, and the office of the President of Tajikistan.
In the presentation the chairman of the Bar of Soghd, Makhira Usmanova, noted that in Tajikistan there is no united system of legal work. According to her, attorneys are separated from each other and little is undertaken in the country for the development of the legal profession. As a positive example, Usmanova presented the practice of the work of attorneys in the Russian Federation.
Usmanova said, “In the Russian Federation, all attorneys are required to be members in the legal division of the Russian Federation. On the other side, the Lawyer’s divisions of Russia are united in the all-Russian federal chamber of attorneys of the Russian Federation on the basis of obligatory membership. Looking at this example, it is possible to note that Tajikistan must create a similar agency.” She also noted that to improve the current situation we can only create such an organization, if it admits independent, competent and responsible attorneys, comprising a united legal association.
A similar opinion is from the member of the Bar of the city of Chkalovsk, Alisher Niezbadalov. He noted that if in Tajikistan a similar organization is created, then its structure must be independent from the state, in order to obtain and investigate complaints and applications from attorneys for disciplinary actions, in accordance with the international requirements of valid legal trials, in order to ensure the accountability of attorneys and their observance of professional standards. He also noted that all decisions on disciplinary actions must be taken transparently.
At the completion of the round table, the participants came to the conclusion that the representatives of the legal profession must create a united independent and self-governing professional organization, a “union of attorneys,” with obligatory membership for the administration and representation of the interests of the legal profession. This organization must possess the authority to deliver decisions on professional activity, composition, introduction of standards of professional ethics, and the implementation of the programs of continuing education within the framework of an increase in the qualifications in order to ensure the observance of high professional standards and to increase the quality of legal service. The establishment of this professional organization should be regulated by the laws of Tajikistan.
To conclude, the participants in the event noted that “the union of attorneys” must develop a comprehensive and united code of professional ethics for all its members on the basis of traditions and internationally acknowledged legal standards, in order to guarantee that the representatives of the legal profession would act independently, honestly, and impartially.
Author: Lola L'vova
July 1, 2008 / Representatives of the Third Sector are Trained in Skills of Cooperation with Mass Media
The Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law trained representatives of NGOs of Tajikistan on setting right their cooperation with mass media. A seminar on the theme: “NGO Collaboration with Mass Media took place from June 23 to June 26 in Dushanbe in the framework of the project, “Human Rights Journalistic Network,” financed by the Mission of the European Commission in the Republic of Tajikistan. Employees of the Bureau presented their expertise, and other experts were invited from the BBC Persian Service, and the public organization “Khoma.” They informed the participants of the seminar about mass media activity in Tajikistan, the methods of action of NGOs in the defense of public interests, and a strategy of cooperation with mass media. They also described to participants how it is necessary to collaborate with print media, radio and television, while also how to be prepared to carry out press conferences. The Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law plans to soon conduct a seminar for the practice of journalists on questions of cooperation with NGOs.
Source: Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law
June 26, 2008 / Many Expect that I will Change my Image, but I did not Want to Do This – Mukhiddin Kabiri
Mukhiddin Kabiri: To be the leader of a religious party is considerably more complex than the leader of a usual party. With some qualities of a contemporary political leader or manager you can’t get along, it is necessary to also correspond to the religious needs of supporters. It is good that people began to pay greater attention to ideas and principles, than to external attributes and symbolism. Many expected that after I was elected chairman of the party, I would change my image, but I did not want to do this. First, this question never was the subject of consideration in the party and they accepted the way I am. In the second place, the bulk of Party members are young people and contemporary-minded people, who look at the world in a new way, and while remaining believing Muslims, they nevertheless want to keep abreast of the times. This is written by Islamnews.ru.
Probably, there are some supporters of the party, who want to see me in the classical Muslim clothing. I understand and respect these views, but a political leader, taking into account the opinion of his supporters, at the same time must convince them, also, of the correctness of his choice to act for himself, while not yielding to the ambitions and desires of people. Mutual understanding and mutual respect within the framework of the party is a very important factor, and I am glad that we have attained this. My brothers and sisters understand perfectly well all the difficulties, when it is necessary to prove that Islam is not about fanaticism and violence, but a religion of humanity, tolerance and public harmony.
Source: “Avesta,” June 26
June 26, 2008 / In Tajikistan Events are Dedicated to the International Day to Combat Illegal Drugs
On June 26 in Tajikistan, among other countries of the United Nations, the international day dedicated to the fight against illegal drugs and trafficking has been observed.
As reported in the Agency for the Control of Narcotics under the office of the President of Tajikistan (AKN), the prevention of drug addiction is a priority in the activity of the AKN and yearly on June 26 – for the international day on the fight against illegal drugs – the agency organizes activities, with the participation of youth organizations, such as conducting different sporting events, with the basic purpose being a general anti-drug campaign.
At the same time, according to source, the day before, colleagues of the AKN, together with the hokumats of the cities of Tursunzade and Vakhdat, in honor of this date, meetings with the representatives of the spheres of education, public health, culture, religion, and government structures were organized. Sporting events were also organized. To the winners of the sporting matched, prizes were distributed. Similar events, dedicated to the international day, take place in the regions subordinate to the government, cities and regions of GBAO, Soghd, and Khatlon.
According to the AKN, Tajikistan in the last eight years is among the countries of the CIS leading in the seizure of heroin and raw opium of Afghan origin. Tajikistan every year accounts for more than 60% of the seized heroin and opium in the post-Soviet area. According to the Ministry of Public Health in Tajikistan, there are more than 9 thousand drug users and addicts registered in the country.
Source: “Avesta,” June 26
June 23 2008/ The Accused Persons in the Murder of the Journalist Ilyas Shurpaev will Appear before a Court in Tajikistan
The investigative agencies of Tajikistan transmitted to the court the case of the murder of the reporter from Channel One, Ilyas Shurpaev. According to the information of the law enforcement agencies of the country, the accused persons, Masrurjon Yatimov and Najmiddin Mukhiddinov are charged with violating two articles of the criminal code: Pre-meditated Murder for Monetary Gain, with the aim of robbery, and theft with the aim of seizing large amounts of property by an organized group. As previously reported by REGNUM, the 32-year old correspondent of channel One, Ilyas Shurpaev, was killed on the night of March 21. The body of the journalist with the marks of a violent death was found in an apartment, which he rented in the northeast of Moscow. The 25-year old Masrurjon Yatimov and 20-year old Najmiddin Mukhiddinov were arrested by law-enforcement agencies in Tajikistan and put in custody. According to the General Procurator of Tajikistan Bobodzhon Bobokhonov, the suspects in the murder of the journalist will not be extradited to Russia, "the Tajik side will carry out this case to the end as directed in the court. Our laws are stricter than in Russia. In the case of evidence of the guilt of those suspected, there is the possibility of 25 years to life in prison,” the General Procurator noted.
17 June 2008/ In Dushanbe Questions have been Discussed about the Respect for Human Rights in Cases of Forced Resettlement
Questions on the observance of human rights in the cases of forced resettlement for public and state needs in Tajikistan will be discussed on June 17 in Dushanbe in a round table. This has been reported to Avesta at the Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law.
According to the source, participants in the round table will discuss questions connected to the legal framework of resettlement for the public and state needs in Tajikistan, the realization of the general plan for Dushanbe in the question of forced resettlement; the International standards of the realization of housing rights and forced resettlement as compared to the experience of foreign countries; and the main types of rights violations in housing and property in the city of Dushanbe.
In the work of the round table, there was also a presentation of the report of the monitoring of the observance of human rights of man in the cases of forced resettlement for the public and state needs.
In the course of the round table, both international and national experts will take part. There will be representatives of the government of Tajikistan, the city government of Dushanbe, and also civil society.
The organizers of the event are the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the UN, the OSCE Center in Dushanbe, and also the Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law.
Source: “Avesta”
16 June 2008/ In Dushanbe Businessmen Need a Reduction in Prices
Approximately 150 private businessmen from Dushanbe gathered this morning near the building of Tax Committee of the government of Tajikistan.
The main group of those protesting are merchants from the Korvon Market. They, in particular, are dissatisfied by the decision of government from May 30, of the present year, to increase the cost of patents and licensing for business activity.
The businessmen declare that if these prices will not be lowered, then they will stop their work and the Korvon market can be shut down.
Source: “Avesta”
13 June 2008 / In Dushanbe the First Working Group on Changes and Additions to the Law on Parliamentary Elections and Local Majleses
The Socialist Party of Tajikistan (SPT), the first among the political parties of the country, introduced its suggestions for the improvement of the law on Elections in the Majlisi Oli. The ideas of the proposals were examined today at the first session of the working group on changes and additions to the law and also with respect to change to the law on Elections of Deputies to Local Majlises. In the document, suggested by the Socialist Party, consisting of 16 points, in particular, there is discussion of the cancellation of pre-election certification and also the assignment of quotas for women to be candidates in the elections for parliament and local Majlises.
At the meeting, as a result of the discussion, it was taken into account the proposal of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda to cancel the clause of Article 4 of the laws about the elections for the Majlis Oli that requires candidates for deputy positions to have stayed in Tajikistan for the last 5 years. The proposal of the chairman of the association of political scientists of Tajikistan Abdugani Makhmadazimov was also taken into account about the introduction of the position of national observers, who advance civil society (representatives of political parties, NGOs, trade unions, and media outlets).
According to the director of the Central Election Commission, Mukhibullo Dododzhonova, the essence of the working group, in which representatives of all the political parties have joined, which are registered, the parliamentarians, representatives of the executive body of the President, the civil society, is that until the return of deputies from vacation, which will be prolonged until October, the law must be finished in order to be presented at the fifth session of the third convocation. M. Dododzhonov did not exclude the probability that by the time of the parliamentary election (February 2010) the changes and additions will be accepted in accordance with international standards. It is remarkable, that at the session of working group to take place today, there is no representative of the Socialist Party, which is the first among the political parties of the country to introduce its proposals with respect to changing the election laws.
Furthermore, representatives of the Party of the Islamic Revival of Tajikistan did not accept to participate; and landowners and the representatives of the office of the President and parliament also ignored the meeting.
In the opinion of the deputy chairman of the social-democratic party of Tajikistan Shokirdzhona Khakimova, absence at the meeting of the representatives of the main agencies with the right to initiate legislation (the President and the Parliament) show the responsibility and degree of professional approach of these institutes of authority to the parliamentary elections.
On June 6 in Dushanbe, there was a presentation of the project of the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), “Professional assistance in the conducting and reform of elections in Tajikistan”, financed by USAID, within the framework of today’s meeting.
Source: Dushanbe, June 12, “Asia- plus” -/Daler Gufronov
12 June 2008/ The State Duma Ratified an Agreement between Russia and Tajikistan about Joint Planning Exercises
The agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan about the joint planning of the use of troops (forces) in the interests of providing mutual security was ratified by the state Duma of Russia in the course of a plenary meeting on June 11.
As reported the correspondent of IA REGNUM, the agreement was concluded on November 23, 2006 in Brest for a period of five years and will be automatically prolonged for the subsequent five-year periods, if none of the sides not less than six months before the expiration of the corresponding period informs in written form the other side about its intention to end its activity.
According to the agreement, Russia and Tajikistan together will analyze the military-political situation and on the basis of their common idea will form a coalition group of troops, planning its use in accordance with the laws of each of the sides.
Source - " Regnum"
12 June 2008/ Tajikistan has Started to Supply Energy to Afghanistan
Tajikistan began exporting electric power to neighboring Afghanistan. Every day about 200 thousand kwth of Tajik electric power enters the country. This was reported to Asia-Plus by the deputy chief engineer of the energy company, “Barqi Tojik,” Rashid Gulov, who said that the export of energy will be in the summer period (May to October). In this year, the flow of electric power began in the middle of May, reported the source, and as a whole in the summer period we export into this country approximately 50 million kwth. In particular, in the past year we supplied to Afghanistan 51 million kilowatts per hours of energy.” Meanwhile, speaking about the recovery of the volume of electric power Kyrgyzstan, R. Gulov reported that Tajik energy in Kyrgyzstan is not supplied at the given moment, since for Tajikistan it is necessary to return a large energy-debt to Uzbekistan.
The flow of Tajik electric power into Uzbekistan began in the last days of May and to the present day more than 60 million kwth of Tajik electric power is supplied. According to the intergovernmental agreement on the provision of electric power, Uzbekistan in the autumn-winter period supplies Tajikistan approximately 600 million kwth of electric power, obtaining in exchange in spring and summer 900 million kwth of Tajik electric power.
In “Barqi Tojik” they expressed confidence in the fact that the debt to Uzbekistan will be completely settled by the end of August of this year. As a whole, according to the energy company, in the republic at present, about 60 million kwth of electric power is produced, a large part of which is manufactured by Nurek GES.
Source: "Asia-Plus"
11 June 2008 / Langariev and his Associates Started to Give Incriminating Evidence, GKNB Tajikistan
The arrested members of the transnational criminal group under the leadership of Sukhrob Langariev began to give incriminatory evidence. On this issue, they reported to “Avesta” in the center of the social communications (TSOS) of the State Committee on National Security (GNKB) of Tajikistan.
According to the source, S. Langariev and his accomplices admitted to the storage and sale of large amount of narcotics.
“From the admissions of the arrested, it follows that they were occupied for the last several years with drug trafficking. In particular, in the course of carrying out investigative-operational measures together with the agency for the control of narcotics, it is established that a large amount of narcotics, seized by workers of Committee for Control of Narcotics (AKN) in the second ten day period of May of the present year on the Dushanbe-Khojand road belongs to precisely this group,” reported the source.
On May 14, of the present year, in the course of a briefing of the directorship of [AKN], the seizure of narcotics in the quantity of more than 423 kilograms was declared.
In the course of conducting the special operation on the Dushanbe-Khojand road, the operatives of the agency seized the motor vehicle “KamAZ,” (Kama Automobile Plant)” fitted for the transportation of gasoline (gasoline tank truck).
During the examination of motor vehicle, the colleagues OF [AKN] revealed a hiding-place with substance appearing to be narcotics. The subsequent analyses showed that the substances were narcotic heroin and opium, with a total weight of 423 kilograms and 645 grams. The total weight of heroin was 33,8 kilograms and the raw opium was 389,8 kilograms”.
Then, on the suspicion of committing this crime, 4 people were arrested - inhabitants of Dushanbe, Khatlona, and Soghd. According to the information of the agency, the narcotics were directed into the territory of Tajikistan from neighboring Afghanistan.
Further in the [TSOS] of the [GKNB], it was reported to “Avesta” that through investigation of S. Langariev, the law-enforcement agencies came upon a number of cases of illegal passages through over the border of Afghanistan into Tajikistan and further distribution of narcotics.
“In particular, in April of the present year, in the course of operational-search measures, the workers of the operations group of the [GKNB] in Kulob, took off the market 38 kg and 920 gm of heroin, 11 kg and 800 gm of Hemp,” they noted in [TSOS].
“On May 12 as a result of a similar operation, 22 kg of heroin, 16 kg of Chars, and 4.5 kg of raw opium were removed from the market. As it was explained in the course of the investigation, all these cases were interconnected,” the source reported.
“The employees OF [GKNB] and the police established that on the Tajik-Afghan border the transnational group of citizens of Afghanistan and Tajikistan was occupied with illegal drug trafficking. One of the drug networks in Tajikistan was controlled by the 29-year old resident of Kulob S. Langariev, who since 2002 is wanted for robbery,” noted the source.
“The employees of power ministries developed special operations for the arrest of S. Langariev,” they noted in the center of the [GKNB].
On May 27, a group of employees of law-enforcement agencies drove up to the house of the drug pusher and proposed that he voluntarily surrender. However, S. Langariev opened fire on them. As a result, 2 innocent civilians died, even one colleague of the [GKNB]. After this, the colleagues of the agency of internal affairs began a special operation. As a result of this operation, law-enforcement agencies arrested 9 people, including the team leader Sukhrob Langariev.
Earlier in the [TSOS] of the [GKNB], they reported that in the course of the search for Langariev 7 Kalashnikov automatic rifles, many grenades, 6 Makarov pistols, 120 magazines for Kalashnikov automatic rifles, one box with cartridges for a sniper rifle, 15 army portable radios, 2 satellite radios and 18 cartridges for a large-caliber weapons.
In the [TSOS] of the [GKNB] they also reported that in the Langariev matter, at present, 13 people are arrested.
“Four were arrested earlier by the employees of the [AKN], for transporting more than 420 kilograms of narcotics. At present, they are searching for two more people – inhabitants of Shuroabad and Pyanj, which according to preliminary information, they have also been members of this transnational criminal group,” the source said. “The investigation of this matter continues, and we will regularly inform the community through the media outlets about its progress,” they concluded in the GKNB.
Source - "Avesta"
11 June 2008/ E. Rahmon has Held a Working Conference with Heads of Ministries and Departments
Questions about development of the national economy of Tajikistan in 5 months of the present year are being discussed at a working conference of the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon with the responsible people of the government and the executive branch of the President on June 9 in Dushanbe.
As reported to “Avesta,” in the press service of the Head of State, in the course of the conference it was noted that within this period the GDP [Gross Domestic Product] became 4 billion 960 million Tajik Somoni or 1,4 billion USD.
According to the source, the President ordered measures for increasing production indices and he will be prepared to sum up the results for the six months of the activity of national economy.
The presidential press-service said, “The head of state noted that in July the leaders of ministries and departments will report on the realization of the plan of measures for the social and economic development of the mountainous Badakhshan area, the decision of government about the measures for an improvement in the social and economic position of the Murgab region [GBAO] dated April 2, 2005, and also about the course of the realization of investment projects in Tajikistan.”
“E. Rahmon directed the responsible people to accelerate the rates of grain collection, repeated sowing, and thoroughly be prepared for the autumn-winter period,” they concluded in the press service.
Source: “Avesta”
10 June 2008 / Children in Khatlon Suffer from Vitamin A Deficiency
In 2002, through the Government Center on Nutrition Problems under the Ministry of Public together with the Kazakhstan Academy of Nutrition, with the support of UNICEF (UNICEF), carried out a study on the insufficiency of vitamin “A” in children from 6 months old to 5 years old in the Khatlon region. The results of a study showed that 51.8% of children in the region indicated suffer from vitamin A deficiencies in differing degrees.
According to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO), about 500 thousand people in the world have vision loss from lack of vitamin “A”. Children in the first 5 years and women of reproductive age are the most vulnerable.
Source: Bureau of Human Rights
10 June 2008 / Journalists of Central Asia Receive Training on the Coverage of HIV/AIDS
The first regional training seminar for the training of trainers among the journalists of the countries of Central Asia on questions of HIV/AIDS takes place today in Dushanbe. The seminar is being held by the international organization Project to Combat AIDS in Central Asia in collaboration with UNESCO.
As the coordinator for communications and strategy of the Project to Combat AIDS in Central Asia, Andrey Sidorin, reported, over 5 days, 20 journalists from Kazakhstan, Kygyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will be trained to cover the theme of HIV/AIDS for the purpose of subsequently conducting similar seminars for journalists in their countries.
Besides obtaining practical skills from the training, the journalists will become acquainted with the activity of the Government AIDS Center, and they will also visit a number of AIDS organizations of the country. The Project to Combat AIDS in Central Asia, together with UNESCO in Almaty, specially for this seminar prepared teaching aids for the media-trainers on the questions of covering the theme of HIV/AIDS. It is assumed that after approving the text, there will be consideration of the question about its translation to the national languages of the countries of region.
Source: NIAT “Khovar”
9 June 2008 / Journalists from Central Asia Receive Training on the Coverage of HIV/AIDS
The first regional training seminar for training of trainers among the journalists of the countries of central Asia on the questions of HIV of AIDS is opened today in Dushanbe.
Its organizers are the international organization “Project to Combat AIDS in Central Asia” in collaboration with UNESCO.
As reported to “Asia-Plus” by the national coordinator for the project in Tajikistan, Asomiddin Latipov, over five days, 20 journalists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will get trained on the coverage of the issue of HIV/AIDS for the purpose of the subsequently conducting training seminars on this theme for journalists in their countries.
According to the coordinator for this component of the project, Chinara Seytalieva, the role of mass media in fighting HIV-infection is extraordinarily great. Therefore, working with mass media and, in particular, the creation of a regional pool of journalists, who regularly report on this theme, is extremely important for the region.
“For writing good articles on the issue of preventing HIV and AIDS and eradicating the stigma and discrimination of people, who live with HIV, journalists must themselves examine well this theme, constantly increasing their knowledge, and their articles must be scientifically precise, without adding sensationalism or prejudice. The training of trainers at this seminar are called to fill the gap on this theme among their journalist colleagues in their countries,” A. Latipov said.
According to him, besides obtaining training skills, journalists will become acquainted with the activity of the government AIDS center, and they will also visit a number of the AIDS organizations in the country.
The Project to Combat AIDS in Central Asia together with UNESCO in Almaty, specifically for this seminar, prepared teaching aids for the media-trainers on questions of covering the issue of HIV and AIDS. The source said, “It is assumed that after approving the text, there will be consideration of the question about its translation to the national languages of the countries of region.”
Author: Bakhrom Mannonov
Dushanbe. June 9. “Asia-Plus”
6 June 2008 / The State of Human Trafficking according to the Results of an Annual Report of the US State Department
On June 4, the annual report on Human Trafficking, prepared by the State Department of the US, came out. According to report, Tajikistan is located in the second tier of the list. This means that sufficient measures are not being taken by the government in the fight against trade of people in 2007 as there was no presented proof on this. In particular, this concerns: investigation, legal prosecution, convictions, and carrying out the sentences. The reasons for this are corruption, insufficient training, and poor coordination. In the reporting period, not one state employee was punished for participation in human trafficking people, despite the evidence. However, the government continued to improve its cooperation with the IOM and NGOs.
In 2007 there was a decrease in the activity of law-enforcement agencies in the area of fighting of human trafficking. The following statistics serve as proof: in 2007 authorities reported 12 investigations of human trafficking in comparison with 34 in 2006. The government reported 19 prosecutions in comparison with 34 in 2006. Courts reported 11 sentences in 2007 in comparison with 52 in 2006. Article 130.1 of the criminal code forbids sexual exploitation and forced labor and provides for sentences of 5 to 15 years imprisonment. However, the authorities report that they do not prosecute at all cases of trade in labor force. In 2007 46 victims obtained refuge and aid. The government undertook no efforts in order to develop and carry out a systematic procedure for the identification of victims or internal mechanism for the transfer of victims to aid agencies.
The report also contains recommendations for Tajikistan. For Tajikistan it is necessary: to thoroughly investigate and pursue through court processes the crimes connected to sexual and working exploitation, to convict and sentence to imprisonment the criminals, who engage in human trafficking, to make an effort to collect and analyze data on human trafficking; to enhance the technical capabilities for better use of the law on human trafficking; to improve coordination between the departments, which are responsible for the investigation and legal prosecution of the cases connected to trafficking, to improve their efforts for raising public awareness among permanent and seasonal workers, who are located abroad; to develop mechanisms for the identification of victims and a directory.
Source: Bureau of Human Rights
4 June 2008 / The Question of Improving the Law on Elections will be Discussed
The presentation of the project OF IFES, “The Professional Support and Improvement of the Legislative Basis for Elections in Tajikistan” takes place on June 6 in Dushanbe. This has been reported in the Central Election Commission for Elections and Referenda of Tajikistan.
In the framework of the presentation of the project, there was a meeting of those interested in the realization of this project.
IFES aims to acquaint participants with activities under its recommendations regarding the improvement in the law on elections, and to give them the possibility of exchanging ideas and proposals on this question. “This project in Tajikistan started to be realized since May 1 of the present year, and it was directed towards improving the law on elections,” noted the source.
At the event, employees of the executive branch, representatives of the Majlisi Oli, [TSSI], the Central Election Commission, the Public council, representatives of international organizations, political parties, NGOs and mass media will take part.
Source: IA “Avesta”
4 June 2008 / Europe Stays in Tajikistan
The OSCE, financing the control of borders and protecting oppressed women – The chairman of the OSCE and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Alexander Stubb met yesterday in Dushanbe the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, after which it was reported that the question about the prolongation of the mandate of the OSCE in Tajikistan was resolved to 95%. "We agreed, that the OSCE Center in Dushanbe will be called the OSCE Bureau in Tajikistan,” said Stubb, and he added that the renaming will not affect the activity of organization. - We will continue work on all directions, which the OSCE considers important: political, security, economic, and ecological."
The authorities of Tajikistan have long ago required a change in the mandate of the OSCE so that more attention would be given to the economy and ecology, but not to human rights and politics. "It is understood that in Central Asia, human rights are being violated," the former adviser on human rights of the OSCE in Tajikistan Oynikhol Bobonazarova said to the correspondent of Gazeta. In this case, she considers that the limitations are justified as such: "The country has still not come near to carrying out democratic reforms. I hope that the situation will begin to change with the introduction of the institution of the Ombudsmen, the law on which is already accepted by parliament. They have given great authority to it."
The OSCE repeatedly subjected Tajikistan to criticism for violations of human rights and undemocratic elections, and the President wanted it to study economic matters. The visit of Stubb brought optimism to the Tajik officials, since the European guest did not issue criticism. He reported that the OSCE was prepared to allocate 620 thousand Euros for aid in the control of state borders and also creation of a college, which will be intended for all countries OSCE. But in the capacity of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stubb promised that Finland will give 120 thousand Euros for the creation of crisis centers for women, suffering from violence every day.
Representatives of public organizations also spoke optimistically, which Stubb met after Rahmon. "The specific changes can be realized," said the deputy chairman of the social-democratic party of Tajikistan Shokirdzhon Khakimov. It is amusing, that it is precisely the Tajik participants requesting the representative of the OSCE to pay greater attention to such documents as the Helsinki final act and the International Convention on the Human Dimension. The deputy chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, Rakhmatullo Valiev, recalled in the meeting that the International Red Cross does not have access to the prisons in Tajikistan, although the OSCE has had its way on this from the 1990s.
04.06.2008, Nargis Zokirova, Dushanbe; Olga Bolotova
Material is published in “Gazeta" 102.
4 June 2008 / The Acting Chairman of the OSCE Arrives in Dushanbe
The acting chairman of the OSCE, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Alexander Stubb, arrives in Tajikistan on a working visit. As reported to “Asia-Plus” in the OSCE Center in Dushanbe, A. Stubb on Tuesday June 3, will conduct negotiations with the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Khamrokhonom Zarifi, and speakers of both chambers of parliament.
During the negotiations questions will discussed, connected with the cooperation of OSCE and Tajikistan, and also the two-sided and international directions of priority. Furthermore, A. Stubb will meet with the representatives of international organizations and civil society and will discuss questions of support in the realization of OSCE commitments, environmental security, human rights, work with civil society, strengthening cooperation and regional stability. The head of the OSCE will be in Dushanbe from June 3. He will also visit Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Source: “Asia-Plus”/Victoria Naumova
3 June 2008 / The OSCE Center in Tajikistan will be Renamed to “Bureau”
The prospects for the collaboration of Tajikistan and the OSCE were discussed today at the meeting of the President Emomali Rakhmon and acting chairman of the OSCE, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Alexander [Stubb].
As reported to journalists after the meeting with the Head of State and A. Stubb, three blocks of questions were discussed, in particular, the questions, which concern the OSCE connected with the bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Finland and international questions.
At the encounter with the Head of State practically 95% of the question was solved about the prolongation of the mandate of the OSCE in Tajikistan. Furthermore, it was agreed that the OSCE Center in Dushanbe will not be called a center but will be called the OSCE Bureau in Tajikistan, after adding that renaming the center as a bureau will not affect the activity of organization. - We will continue work in all directions, which the OSCE considered important, political, security, economic, and ecological questions."
Furthermore, according to the chairman of the OSCE, questions were discussed connected with Afghanistan, in particular the question on the administrations of borders and also the prospects of creating a college for the control of borders. "Actually, the college for control of borders will be in Tajikistan, but it will be intended for all countries entering the OSCE," noted A. Stubb.
The head of the Department of Foreign Policy of Finland also reported that at the meeting with E. Rahmon questions were discussed on the rule of law, human rights, and development of democracy.
Meanwhile, speaking about the cooperation between Tajikistan and Finland, the diplomat noted that his country will work in three directions in Tajikistan: on securing borders, for which 620 thousand Euros has been allocated; the destruction of light small arms (354 thousand Euros); and in the sphere of the creating crisis centers for women victims of domestic violence (120 thousand Euros).
Source: Asia-Plus
Author: Victoria Naumova
