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Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan Discussed at OSCE Conference

The deteriorating situation for journalists and freedom of speech in Tajikistan was discussed at the plenary session of the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw on October 2. Participants, including human rights defenders and civil society representatives, noted that arrests of journalists have become a common practice in the country. Some face harassment even outside Tajikistan. Gulnoza Said, program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists in Europe and Central Asia, said the situation with human rights and freedom of expression has reached a critical point. She said eight journalists, including Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, Daler Imomali, and Khushruz Dzhumayev, are currently in Tajik prisons. Said also emphasized that the sentences handed down to the journalists are incredibly harsh, ranging from seven to 20 years in prison. Muhammadjon Kabirov, editor-in-chief of Azda TV, broadcasting from Poland, noted that Tajikistan ranks 155th on the World Freedom of Expression Index, and its authorities have created a hostile environment for the media. Kabirov also recalled the transnational repression directed against journalists abroad. In his speech, he cited the conviction of journalists such as Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda and Abdukahor Davlat, who were sentenced to long prison terms in 2015. A recent example of pressure on the independent press was the arrest of the editor-in-chief of Pike, Ahmadi Ibrohim, who has been charged with bribery and is awaiting trial. The conference also raised the issue of Tajik authorities harassing journalists and their relatives to force them to stop their activities. Interestingly, although Tajikistan had previously taken an active part in such discussions, there were no representatives of Tajikistan at this year's event. International organizations have repeatedly criticized the situation with freedom of speech in Tajikistan. Organizations such as Amnesty International and Freedom House report the constant harassment of journalists, independent media, and activists. Opposition media outlets are banned in the country, and journalists face arrests and long prison terms on charges that human rights activists call trumped-up.

Turkmenistan Strengthens Anti-Corruption Mechanisms With Kazakh Experience

Turkmenistan is actively enhancing its anti-corruption framework by drawing on international expertise. A delegation of senior officials from key ministries recently visited Kazakhstan to learn from its financial practices. This visit, facilitated by the USAID "Governance in Turkmenistan" project with support from the OSCE Center in Ashgabat, aimed to explore best practices in financial monitoring, investigations, and the regulation of virtual assets at the Astana International Financial Center. Therein, Turkmen officials studied national risk assessments, inter-agency cooperation, and preventive measures against corruption, with a particular focus on asset recovery and identifying beneficial owners. The GAT project underlines Turkmenistan's stated commitment to fostering transparent, inclusive governance and advancing socioeconomic development.

Ashgabat Hosts Seminar on Artificial Intelligence

The capital of Turkmenistan is hosting a two-day seminar , organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, on "Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Freedom of Speech." During the event, international participants, including specialists from Austria and Bulgaria, will analyse the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on freedom of speech and the role of the media in today's world through various workshops focusing on: the role of artificial intelligence in shaping public opinion and disseminating information; the risks and opportunities associated with the application of AI in the media; how to ensure freedom of speech in the context of AI development; and how to combat misinformation and manipulation in the age of artificial intelligence. Opening the seminar, William Leaf, Representative of the OSCE Centre in Turkmenistan, emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and media as integral elements of a democratic society. Noting Turkmenistan's growing interest in developing artificial intelligence, he welcomed the seminar as an important step in understanding its potential and possible challenges. Within the context of an exchange of views and the development of recommendations on the use of artificial intelligence in the media, the event provides a platform for discussions on how such issues affect the principles of freedom of speech and human rights and as such, relates to the OSCE Centre's ongoing assistance in implementing the National Human Rights Action Plan 2021-2025 (NHRAP) provisions on media freedom and freedom of expression.

Tajikistan and OSCE Discuss Cooperation

Tajikistan's president Emomali Rahmon has received the OSCE chairperson-in-office, Maltese foreign minister Ian Borg, in Dushanbe. The meeting discussed cooperation issues in various spheres, Rahmon's press service is reporting. "From the first days of establishing relations with the Organization, we have expressed readiness to expand mutually beneficial cooperation," Rahmon stressed. The parties discussed regional and global problems and the expansion of military-political, economic, and environmental ties within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) framework. The need for close cooperation among the Organization's member states in preventing and mitigating the negative consequences of climate change, such as unprecedented warming, floods, prolonged droughts, fires, and other natural disasters, was recognized. During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on security, combating cybercrime, and preventing the misuse of the internet to promote and agitate extremism, radicalism, and violence. In bilateral relations, there was satisfaction with the cooperation within international organizations, particularly the OSCE and the European Union. In addition, ways to expand bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Malta in areas such as inter-parliamentary ties, trade, investment, entrepreneurship, tourism, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation were discussed.

OSCE Representatives Arrive in Uzbekistan For Talks on Upcoming Elections

Uzbekistan's central election committee is reporting that discussions have begun on whether the country needs this year's parliamentary elections to be assessed by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The ODIHR is a body of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Representatives of the OSCE's election department, Keara Castaldo and Kakha Inaishvili, recently held talks in Tashkent with the chair of Uzbekistan's election committee, Zainiddin Nizamkhodjaev. During their visit to Uzbekistan Castaldo and Inaishvili will also meet with representatives of various ministries and agencies, political parties, media, and civil society bodies.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly president visits Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK (TCA) — Effective oversight may be the most important long-term contribution that parliamentarians can make to democracy and good governance in their country, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli said in a keynote speech to the participants of the international seminar on strengthening parliamentary oversight in Kyrgyzstan on September 27. Continue reading