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Tajikistan: State repression of independent media

COMCMT1R-EP1R-C2R-EPCNCADO

Updated 31mo ago

This resolution strongly condemns the crackdown on independent media, critics, and lawyers in Tajikistan, highlighting the severe decline in media freedom since 1991.

Journalists and media outlets, including Asia-Plus and Radio Ozodi, face harassment, criminal charges, and imprisonment, with laws on extremism and terrorism being used to silence them.

The resolution urges Tajikistan to release arbitrarily detained journalists and lawyers, ensure fair trials, and provide a safe working environment for media workers, in line with international obligations.

The EU Parliament calls for increased support for Tajik civil society and independent media, and for the human rights situation to be considered in future EU-Tajikistan agreements.

Documents

Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media

position · EN · 2026-04-01

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Analysis

AI-generated·2 Apr 2026·Source document·Unverified

The democratic control function of independent media in Tajikistan has been continuously declining over the last decade, reaching its worst state since independence in 1991.

What changes

Strong condemnation of the crackdown against independent media, government critics, human rights activists, and independent lawyers, including the closure of independent media outlets.
Condemnation of politically motivated trials and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of arbitrarily detained journalists and lawyers, with all charges dropped.
Call for ensuring detainees have access to adequate healthcare, investigation into mistreatment and forced confessions, and bringing those responsible to justice.
Call for a safe working environment for media workers and human rights defenders, and for the situation of freedom of expression to be considered for GSP+ application and EU-Tajikistan EPCA negotiations.
Call for increased support, including funding and visas for protection, for civil society, human rights defenders, and independent media workers in Tajikistan.

Expected impact

The 'Law on Countering Extremism' and the 'Law on Combating Terrorism' are being used as tools for the persecution of journalists.
The closure of independent media outlets and the persecution of journalists and lawyers may lead to a decline in the democratic control function of media and a worsening of the human rights situation.
Pressure on domestic media and self-censorship may facilitate the spread of propaganda and disinformation, including regarding the war in Ukraine.

Limitations

The document does not provide specific details on the economic impact of the described situation.
The document does not detail the specific content of the 'Law on Countering Extremism' or the 'Law on Combating Terrorism'.
The document does not specify the exact nature of the 'difficulties in obtaining accreditation' for news agencies.

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