MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province

5.7.2022 - (2022/2753(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Raffaele Fitto, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Anna Fotyga, Karol Karski, Elżbieta Kruk, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Vincenzo Sofo, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Ladislav Ilčić, Adam Bielan, Valdemar Tomaševski, Assita Kanko, Alexandr Vondra, Zbigniew Kuźmiuk, Carlo Fidanza, Nicola Procaccini
on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0350/2022

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B9‑0363/2022

European Parliament resolution on on the situation in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province

(2022/2753(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the EU statement on the latest developments in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Tajikistan of 29 June 2022, 

–  having regard to the Joint statement of the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan and the Embassies of France, Germany, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America on developments in GBAO of 19 May 2022,

–  having regard to the Council Conclusions on the New Strategy on Central Asia of 17 June 2019,

–  having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and Tajikistan, of 1 January 2010,

–  having regards to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984,

–  having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966,

–  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

–  having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

1. whereas the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in Tajikistan spans over almost half of Tajikistan and is rich in mineral and natural resources, but despite this, remains the least-developed region in the country with the highest unemployment rate and lowest living standards;

 

2. whereas GBAO has traditionally had a relatively strong and well-developed civil society and nongovernment sector; whereas under current President Rahmon, the autonomous region became increasingly under complete control of the Tajik authorities by purging local leaders from government and suppressing civil society and journalists in particular; whereas the Tajik repressive policy promoted a large-scale protest movement in GBAO that increased by a deepening socioeconomic crisis and a sharp drop in living standards;

 

3. Whereas the protracted conflict in GBAO started in July 2012 when the Tajik government undertook a large-scale military and police operation to arrest and eradicate a group of local informal leaders in the region that it accused of criminal and anti-state activities;
4. whereas during the recent protests that took place in 16-19 May 2022, the Tajik security services detained at least 46 Gorno-Badakhshan locals and used excessive force against protesters; whereas on 18 May the Tajik authorities announced a special operation in the region after residents of Rushan village blocked the only road connecting Dushanbe with Khorog; whereas according to the UN special rapporteur on minority issues, as many as 40 people were allegedly killed in the operation, and 46 were arrested as “militants”; whereas according to international human rights organisations the people arrested overall in the connection to the May protests may be as high as 100;

 

5. whereas the Tajik government also cut internet and mobile connectivity in GBOA in May 2022, denying thousands of residents in the autonomous region to access independent information and have contact with their relatives in the rest of Tajikistan ; whereas physical access in and out of Rushan village was also reportedly heavily restricted;

 

1. Deeply regrets the loss of lives in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in Tajikistan; calls for a peaceful solution to the long-standing conflict in GBOA;

 

2. Calls on the Tajik government to exercise restraint and to refrain from excessive use of force and urge to ensure that law enforcement agencies act in strict compliance with the rule of law and uphold the standards of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms even in security-related crisis situations;

 

3. Strongly urges for a swift, transparent and independent investigation into the violent clashes that occurred in GBAO, including the death of civilians and reports of alleged acts of torture by the security forces;

 

4. Calls on the Tajik government to respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of the media; calls, furthermore, on the Tajik government to engage in a constructive dialogue with the protestors and to release all protestors who were peacefully protesting without charge, including unofficial leaders Mahmadboqir Mahmadboqirov, Khursand Mazorov and Zoir Rajabov, who were “neutralised” during an operation on 12 June 2022, as well as Ulfathonim Mamadshoeva and her former husband Kholbash Kholbashov;

 

5. Expresses grave concern of the use of alleged torture by the Tajik security services, including in the case of Gulbiddin Ziyobekov, and reminds the Tajik authorities that torture and ill-treatment are illegal under international law and that the admission of evidence obtained under torture in any proceeding violates the rights to due process and fair trial and is prohibited without exception;

 

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the European External Action Service, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, Government and Parliament of Tajikistan.