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International Human Rights Activists Demand Release of Tajik Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has strongly condemned the sentencing of Tajik journalist Rukhshona Khakimova, calling on Tajik authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally. In a statement issued on March 3, the Observatory asserted that Khakimova’s prosecution is linked to her participation in a politically sensitive poll on China’s influence in Tajikistan. The survey, commissioned by the Kyrgyz NGO Barometer, included interviews with political figures, some of whom belong to the opposition and face pressure from authorities. “Ms. Khakimova is officially charged with ‘high treason’ under Article 305 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code. This charge is part of a broader investigation into an alleged coup attempt, despite the absence of credible evidence. It is being used to suppress critical voices,” the statement said. Concerns Over Due Process and Human Rights Violations Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the secrecy of the trial, closed court sessions, and lack of transparency in the investigation. Activists argue that these factors indicate serious violations of due process. A particularly troubling aspect of the case is Khakimova’s separation from her two young children, who are two years old and nine months old. At the time of her arrest, she was still breastfeeding her younger child. Authorities have denied her mother’s request to bring the infant to the detention center, and her property has been confiscated, exacerbating her family’s financial difficulties. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has urged the Tajik government to: Release Khakimova immediately. Respect her rights as a mother and consider the wellbeing of her children. Ensure a fair and transparent judicial process. International Condemnation Several other human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have also condemned the eight-year prison sentence handed to Khakimova. The 31-year-old journalist was convicted of “complicity in high treason using her official position”, a charge that has sparked public outrage and widespread debate on social media. On February 13, the Chairman of Tajikistan’s Supreme Court acknowledged public criticism of the verdict but defended the decision, stating that Tajik law does not provide for leniency in cases involving “especially grave crimes”. Khakimova’s case has become a symbol of shrinking press freedoms in Tajikistan. With global human rights organizations increasing pressure, the Tajik government now faces growing calls to reconsider her sentence and uphold freedom of the press and due process.

Human rights president European Parliament Critique Journalists

Sadyr Japarov Criticizes European Deputies for One-Sided Reports on Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has criticized European Parliament deputies for what he described as one-sided and subjective reporting on human rights issues in Kyrgyzstan. Speaking at a meeting with members of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights, Japarov expressed regret that EU officials had not sought clarification from the Kyrgyz government before publishing their reports. European officials have previously raised concerns about criminal cases against independent journalists, particularly those linked to Temirov Live, as well as the prosecution of activists who opposed the transfer of the Kempir-Abad reservoir to Uzbekistan. Addressing these concerns, Japarov defended his administration’s handling of these cases, stating that the judiciary operated independently and that some accused individuals had been acquitted. “Two journalists are in custody, probation was applied to two, and seven were acquitted. The courts made their decisions, and we accepted them. When we resolved border issues with Uzbekistan, the so-called ‘Kempir-Abad group’ opposed the agreement, claiming we had given away land. But in reality, 99% of the population saw the deal as beneficial. Only 26 people protested, calling for unrest, and were arrested. But the court later acquitted them, and we did not object,” Japarov said. He reiterated that freedom of speech and human rights remain key priorities for Kyrgyzstan. “As an active member of the international community and the UN Human Rights Council, Kyrgyzstan is committed to strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and upholding international obligations,” he stated. Chairman of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, Mounir Satouri, acknowledged the importance of strategic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the EU and expressed readiness for an open dialogue on the issues raised.

Civil Rights Politics Human rights NGOs Ablyazov Corruption Allegations PACE Political Prisoners Qatargate

Kazakh Activists Slam PACE Member’s Allegations

Kazakh civil activists have strongly criticized a written declaration signed by 20 of the 306 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), labeling it a “defamatory document.” Their response, representing various non-governmental organizations and public associations across Kazakhstan, accuses PACE signatories of bias, double standards, and a lack of objectivity in its assessment of human rights and democratic practices in the country. The contentious declaration, published on the PACE website on February 5, 2025, alleges that Kazakhstan has imprisoned eight political dissidents and is repressing another five individuals living abroad. However, Kazakh civil society representatives argue that these claims are misleading and politically motivated. A key point of contention is the alleged connection between the individuals named in the declaration and Mukhtar Ablyazov, a notorious figure accused of embezzling $8-10 billion during his tenure as chairman of BTA Bank. Ablyazov has been the subject of multiple legal judgments in the UK and US, with liabilities exceeding $5 billion, including two jury trial verdicts in the Southern District of New York in 2022 and 2024 with regard to the laundering of the stolen funds. The activists assert that the individuals referenced in the PACE declaration are not political prisoners but rather individuals convicted of ordinary criminal offenses. In their February 24 response, the Kazakh civil society representatives expressed concern over what they perceive as an attempt by certain PACE members to “militarize” Europe’s democratic agenda against Kazakhstan. “We are deeply concerned about how individual PACE representatives are attempting to ‘militarize’ Europe’s democratic agenda in relation to Kazakhstan,” the statement reads. “We have every reason to believe that the authority of PACE is being actively used by criminal elements to advance their interests - among whom we include Mukhtar Ablyazov and his supporters.” While the PACE declaration called for an investigation into Kazakhstan, the civil activists countered by urging European law enforcement agencies to investigate potential abuses of office by PACE representatives. They accused PACE of turning a blind eye to systemic corruption, such as the “Qatargate” scandal, and questioned whether connections between those implicated in “Qatargate” and individuals shaping PACE’s stance on Kazakhstan are fueling a biased agenda. [caption id="attachment_29119" align="aligncenter" width="683"] According to its website, the National Endowment for Prosperity is an "organization dedicated to the protection of human rights, strengthening democracy and developing civil society, implementing a wide range of projects and initiatives in these areas."[/caption] The rebuttal, titled “Response of representatives of civil society of Kazakhstan to the declaration of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,” was signed by 20 prominent figures from Kazakh civil society. These include Marlen Imangaliyev from the "Veterans of military operations who took part in the settlement of the interethnic conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh in the Caucasus region" public association; Usen Suleimen and Marat Sarsembayev from the “National Endowment for Prosperity”; Salamat Kabidayev from the "Eurasian Peace and Accord" institution; and Dauyl Togzhan from the "Alash Ulandary" public foundation. The response underscores the activists’ belief that the actions...

Human rights Mass Media Media Freedom Justice

Sentencing of Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Draws Outrage in Tajikistan

Tajikistan’s Supreme Court has convicted journalist Rukhshona Khakimova of high treason and sentenced her to eight years in prison. Her lawyer criticized the ruling, noting that the court failed to take into account her status as a mother. Meanwhile, Tajikistan’s journalistic community has condemned the sentence as "excessively harsh" and "shocking." Khakimova’s relatives plan to appeal the verdict. The court’s decision was announced on February 5 during a closed hearing held at the Dushanbe detention center, alongside other verdicts in the “coup d’état case." Khakimova is the niece of Shokirjon Khakimov, the first deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Khakimova was first charged seven months ago but was allowed to remain free due to her responsibilities as a mother of two young children. However, her documents were confiscated, preventing her from leaving her place of residence. Following the verdict, she was immediately taken into custody inside the courtroom. Tajikistan’s journalistic community has raised serious concerns about the fairness of the trial, particularly due to the lack of transparency surrounding the case. The authorities have refused to comment, citing state secrecy. Khakimova’s prosecution is believed to be linked to her investigation into China’s influence in Tajikistan. As part of her research, she reportedly interviewed several defendants in the coup case, including former MP Saidjafar Usmonzoda, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison. The prosecution had initially sought a 17-year prison sentence for Khakimova, but the court reduced it to eight years under Article 63 of the Criminal Code. However, lawyer Turob Dilayev noted that the court failed to consider the legal provision allowing for sentence postponement for women with young children. As a result, Khakimova’s two children — a two-year-old and a nine-month-old — have been placed in the care of relatives. The court also seized the family's savings, originally intended for buying a home. The National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan has strongly criticized the ruling. Its head, Nuriddin Karshiboyev, stated that journalists had hoped for justice but were left “shocked” by the harsh sentence. Khurshed Atovullo, director of the Centre for Journalist Studies of Tajikistan, called the ruling excessive, arguing that conducting a survey should not be grounds for criminal prosecution. Gulnora Amirshoeva, head of the Coalition of Women Journalists of Tajikistan, expressed outrage, particularly over Khakimova’s separation from her children. She voiced hope that the case would be reviewed and that the execution of the sentence would be suspended. International human rights organizations have also condemned the verdict. Siynat Sultonalieva, Human Rights Watch’s representative for Central Asia, stated that Tajikistan continues to persecute journalists and human rights defenders. She noted that Khakimova is the ninth journalist to receive a long-term sentence and called on authorities to end the pressure on the press.

Media Freedom officials Human rights Media

Turkmen Civil Servants Could Lose Jobs for Misusing Newspapers with Pictures of Berdimuhamedovs

Authorities in Turkmenistan have warned civil servants that they could face dismissal for misusing state newspapers featuring images of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and his father, former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Officials have been explicitly banned from using these newspapers as toilet paper, food packaging, or firewood. Government employees are now required to sign pledges to “carefully keep the pages” containing photographs of the ruling family. According to civil servants, they have been instructed to ensure that images of the Berdimuhamedovs do not end up in the trash or repurposed for household use. Authorities are reportedly even considering introducing QR codes on each page of newspapers to track subscribers and monitor how printed materials are used. “Now we are afraid that children might accidentally tear or throw away a newspaper with the president’s image - because you can lose your job for that,” said one civil servant, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals. Human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), consistently rank Turkmenistan among the world’s worst countries for press freedom. Since Serdar Berdimuhamedov succeeded his father as president in 2022, the country’s media environment has remained tightly controlled. Despite officially stepping down, Berdimuhamedov Sr. continues to wield significant influence over decision-making in the government.

Afghanistan migrants rights Migration Human rights Refugees Migrants United Nations

UNHCR Again Urges Tajikistan to Stop Deporting Afghan Refugees

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on Tajikistan to immediately halt the deportation of Afghan refugees, following reports that dozens were forcibly returned to Afghanistan last month. According to UNHCR, at least 80 Afghan refugees were deported from Tajikistan in December 2024, despite many holding valid refugee documents. The agency warned that such actions violate international protection standards and could put deportees at risk. By the end of 2024, around 9,000 Afghan refugees were residing in Tajikistan. UNHCR has expressed concern that further deportations could endanger many more lives. Regional Context and Increasing Deportations Tajikistan is not the only country tightening its stance on Afghan refugees. Iran and Pakistan have also intensified deportations in recent months. Reports indicate that Iran has expelled 586,000 undocumented Afghans since the start of the current solar year. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation stated that nearly 12,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey in the past three weeks. The rise in deportations has added pressure on Afghan refugees, many of whom are already struggling due to Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis. UNHCR has reiterated its appeal for international cooperation, urging host countries to balance national security concerns with humanitarian obligations. Previously, Mosawer Bahadori, head of Afghanistan’s Migration Committee (Aryana) in Tajikistan, urged Tajik authorities to respect refugee rights and uphold their international commitments in protecting displaced Afghans.