On June 7 2004 the General Prosecutor’s Office of the RT had sent a notion (act of prosecutor’s response) to Nerui Sukhan weekly, wherein was said that all articles published in that newspaper were taken into close consideration. As a result, the General Prosecutor’s Office established that contents of many articles provoke regionalism and international dissention, hurt honor and dignity of citizens, in particular, of the president, deputies of the Parliament and other state representatives. Meanwhile, chief editor of Nerui Sukhan, Mukhtor Bokizoda disagreed with these accusations.

June 22

The Ministry of Tax Collection and State Revenues

The press center of the Ministry of Tax Collection and State Revenues has been liquidated in June 2004, according to officers of this institution. This information aroused journalists’ pity, since they think, that was one of the best press-centers in the Republic, which had all necessary equipment, conducted extensive informational activities on TV, Radio and regularly organized roundtables for press. According to unofficial data, officers of the press-center are transferred into other departments of this institution, doing other jobs; one of the five officers was already dismissed due to 30% staff reduction. However, deputy minister, Bakhtiyor Sultonov denied the above-mentioned information. He told a correspondent of the monitoring service that the press center was not liquidated, but from now on it will be under personal control of the minister.

June 25

Internews Network (Dushanbe City)

During press conference, held on 25 June, deputy director of the International NGO Internews Network Izatmand Salomov stated that their organization is being pressured for the last period of time. In particular, the Committee for TV and Radio broadcasting and the Ministry of Justice started to check the activity of the Internews Network, connected with TV magazines Otkritaya Azia and Nabzi Zindagi. The check was caused by the report made by the Informational Department of Tajik President’s Office, wherein the International NGO was accused of illegal TV production and establishing threat to information security of the RT. Being disagreed with these statements, I. Salomov specified that according to the last amendments to the Article 28 of the Law of the RT “On TV and Radio Broadcasting” TV producers are obliged to have appropriate license. However, that report was signed four days before Tajik President adopted the law. “It means that –says I. Salomov, - the law was not yet signed by the head of the State, it was not yet published and did not have any legal effect, but accusations were already prepared. Such preconception makes us prick up our ears. Moreover, as far as we know, they had no pretensions to other TV producers”.

All mass media (Dushanbe City)

On 23 June 2004 at the 5th session, members of Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli of the RT (Lower House of the Parliament) adopted an amendment to the Tax Code of the RT where mass media publishing and distribution would be exempted from VAT (value added tax). The amendment was adopted on the basis of legislative initiatives of the Government, by an order of Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov of 20th March. It should be considered that Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov “kept his promise” to support independent mass media. However, in accordance with some newspaper publishers, the adopted amendment brings more harm to mass media than any advantages, since the cost of printing materials are much higher than publishing expenses (printing services). As a result newspaper publishers do not get any benefit from the adopted amendment, rather their expenses would increase.

3. Actions of journalists to protect their civil and professional rights

June 5

All mass media (Khujand City)

A roundtable on “Access to Information” and presentation of the following report-bulletin “Access to Information in Central Asia” (monitoring and analysis of the violation of rights of journalists and mass media in Tajikistan) was held in Khujand City on 3 June 2004. Current activity was carried out by Central Asian Media Support Project, organized by Swiss organization CIMERA in partnership with the National Association of Mass Media in Tajikistan and financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

“For the past six months in Sogd Region 10 cases of the violations of the rights of journalists and mass media were registered, but it does not mean that the information access situation is getting better. Firstly, it is connected with journalists’ fear to harm their relations with the local government, and consequently don’t appeal to the monitoring service. Secondly, journalists are too passive and they don’t wish to cooperate with us”, - said Nargis Zokirova, coordinator of the Monitoring Network on Violation of the Rights of Journalists and Mass media in Tajikistan.

Journalists from Northern part of Tajikistan, in particular, agreed that problem of the information access still remains actual. In his part, head of the Informational Department of Sogd Regional Hukumat (Administration), Narzullo Dadabaev noted that all departments of the regional Hukumat quite actively cooperate with press. “Since Sogd Regional Hukumat selected more accurate position – close cooperation with mass media”, -he said. N. Dadabaev also noted that journalists often do not receive information at law enforcement organs of the Region. He explained that most officers of press services of law enforcement organs are not prepared and do not have appropriate skills in this field. In connection with this, the head of the Informational Department offered to conduct a number of seminars and trainings for officers of press-services of law enforcement organs.

All mass media (Dushanbe City)

Mass media role in covering courts’ activities and their interactions became the main topic of the roundtable “Judicial authority and mass media”, conducted on 18 June 2004 in Dushanbe. Executive Director of the Association of Judges of the RT Safar Sangakov during his speech noted: “Mass media is a main source to receive information about judicial authority and they should have a wide access to this system, except for cases stated by law”.

“Most misunderstandings between judges and mass media arise in connection with limiting journalists to participate at judicial sessions, banning on photographing, audio and video recording, said S. Sangov. – In order to solve the problem of the possibility to permit journalists to attend sessions, judges have to make a choice between “informing the public” and self-interests of a person or a citizen”. In their part, journalists noted about difficulties they face when receiving information from courts and urged them to be more open. Roundtable was organized by the Association of Judges of the RT jointly with the Council of Justice of the RT and financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

During the seminar, participants have listened to mini lectures about international practice on access to information; information policy of authorities in Tajikistan, and also about the role of independent mass media organizations in regulating conflicts between mass media and press-services of state organs. Swiss journalist, Andre Loersch cited an example of quite active and effective cooperation between press services of other foreign countries and mass media, however he also noted that each country has its own direction and it does not mean that it is necessary for Tajikistan to experience someone’s methods, it is necessary to try its own way to develop in this direction.

II. VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS OF MASS MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS  (up)

1. Attack on journalist

June 14

Zafar Saidov (Dushanbe City)

According to Tajik mass media, Director of Tajik Information Agency “Khovar” Zafar Saidov tried to make his way towards polyclinic. On the way to polyclinic, a car drove up to him at the crossroads of Sa’di Sherozi and Hofiz Sherozi avenues from where an unknown person fired a shot at him but fortunately, says Zafar Saidov, it past by his head. Being shocked, Zafar Saidov could remember neither license plate number nor model of the car. That’s why he did not appeal to the law enforcement bodies.

Ruzi Nav Weekly (New Day) (Dushanbe City)

Mosharif Kurbonova (Kurgan Tube City)

On 11 June 2004, unknown journalist Mosharif Kurbonova appealed to head of executive office of the mayor of Kurgan Tube City, Ruzi Nazifov. The journalist was particularly interested in the question “why the international “Exhibition on Health” was closed in Kurgan Tube?”. It should be noted that the “Exhibition on Health” was supposed to be conducted within one month at Khatlon Regional Administrative Center. However, R. Nazifov, ignoring journalist’s question, advised her to appeal to Shamsi Abdurahimova, deputy mayor of the city. According to M. Kurbonova, deputy mayor told that this exhibition was closed by the order of security department of Kurgan tube City, and this information was not for distribution since it was official secret.

June 14

Khudoiberdi Samandarov (Konibodom City)

On 12 June 2004 Khudoiberdi Samandarov correspondent of Sadoi Konibodom (Voice of Konibodom) newspaper decided to join the raid of “Tajik State Standard”, which carried out a raid in the city market “Farovon”. It was conducted jointly with the Trade Department of Konobodom Hukumat and representatives of the market in order to make a report about the results of the conducted raid. But representative of “Tajik State Standard” who did not introduce himself to the journalist and did not participate in raid, requested journalist not to break into the process of that event and advised him to receive information about the results of raid from the market’s administration. However till 15 June 2004, the market administration did not present information to the journalist.

June 15

Boris Khairuddinov (Dushanbe City)

Correspondent of the Information Agency “Avesto” Boris Khairuddinov on 10 June 2004 addressed to the Institute for Post-Diploma Preparation of Medical Personnel of the RT, assistant rector Sayora Oblokulova. B. Khairuddinov was interested in number of graduate students of the above-mentioned institute in 2003. But there he was told that he could get exact information next day. However, the next day and later Sayora Oblokulova told that she could not answer that question. After ten days she told that could not give information till the end of the month, and to the following requests of Boris Khairuddinov, she angrily answered “why are endlessly calling, I am not playing with you here”; after that correspondent did not try to receive necessary information.

June 16

Artem Geyvandov (Dushanbe City)

On June 15 correspondent of the Information-analytical Agency “Asia-Plus” Artem Geyvandov phoned to the reception desk of Deputy Prime Minister Kh. Mavlonova. He wanted to know if they were doing anything to liquidate arrears of wages to the constructors in Kulob City. A woman who picked up a phone and did not introduce herself told that journalists do not have right to directly phone to Deputy Prime Minister, and dropped a phone. During following phone calls she did not wish to talk and refused to call her name.

June 21

Olga Senchuk (Dushanbe City)

On June 15 correspondent of VID weekly Olga Senchuk phoned to the press-service of Interiors Affairs Department of Dushanbe City Jaloliddin Sadriddinov with an offer to fix constant cooperation, and in particular, to receive a report of weekly incidents to be published. Jaloliddin Sadriddinov promised to send above-mention information, but editorial boards did not receive any information yet.

June 21

Olga Senchuk (Dushanbe City)

On June 14 correspondent of VID weekly Olga Senchuk addressed herself to the press-center of Interiors Ministry of RT with request to confirm the officially known to all fact. It was a fact about four people who sank into a lake outside Dushanbe City, consequently it was closed for citizens who come to have rest. However she was told that they did not have information about that issue. Numerous attempts to appeal to the Deputy Minister remained unsuccessful, since she was asked to call later or told that deputy minister was not in place.

June 24

Mosharif Kurbonova (Kurgan Tube City)

On 22 June 2004 independent journalist Mosharif Kurbonova phoned to the head of Housing Department of Kurgan Tube Hukumat, Abdukodir Valiev for information. Journalist was particularly interested in the question of existing difficulties of Hukumat to provide residents of the city with houses. But A. Valiev told journalist that without the permission of the chairman of Kurgan tube city he could not give answers to any if her questions. He dropped the phone then and did not answer the phone calls any more.

TV Badakhshan (Khorog City)

On 18 June 2004 a shooting team of TV Badakhshan, headed by correspondent Ulfatmo Bakhtalieva decided to shoot a report about the process of State examinations at Khorog State University. When correspondent took a few episodes and talked to graduate students, she decided to shoot the process of conducting examination and talk to examiners. But shooting team was not permitted into an exam. According to Ulfatmo Bakhtalieva, by unknown reasons, examiners did not permit them into an exam, telling that journalists didn’t have to do anything there. They did not permit correspondent to go in, even after she said that the shooting would not take more than 4-5 minutes. According to Ulfatmo Bakhtalieva, probably teachers thought that shooting team would intend to make a critical material.

June 28

Mosharif Kurbonova (Kurgan Tube City)

On 28 June 2004 Department for under-age affairs of Kurgan tube Police Department refused to present information to independent journalist Mosharif Kurbonova. Journalist was particularly interested in the question about the number of criminal cases instituted against teenagers and their results. But Khurshed Chuponov, acting head of Department for under-age affairs refused to present any information.

June 30

Boris Khairuddinov (Dushanbe City)

Correspondent of Information Agency “Avesto” Boris Khairuddinov in the mid of June phoned to the International Department of Tajik Ministry of Health to receive information about foreign business trip of the minister N. Faizulloev. The Head of International Department Guljahon Tumanov asked journalist to call after lunch, but then she was not in place. Boris Khairuddinov had to call at three in the afternoon and when he managed to reach her, instead of receiving necessary information, he heard complaints on a bad mood and other reproaches. When correspondent told that she was obliged to present information, Guljahon Tumanov said rude things to him and dropped the phone.

June 30

Nazarali Pirnazarov (Dushanbe City)

Correspondent of Information-analytical Agency “Avesto” Nazarali Pirbazarov addressed himself to the Committee for Border Protection of RT, to the head of headquarters Nuralisho Nazarov. He wanted to receive information about a meeting of the chairman of Committee for Border Protection of RT A. Azimov with Deputy head of Russian Border Service A. Manilov which was dated on 29 June. However, he was unable to receive information, despite other information agencies already received this information.

COMMENTARY

3. Groundless refusal to accredit journalists

June 24

Kurbon Alamshoev (Badakhshoni Kuhi Autonomous Region)

On 18 June correspondent of Persian service of BBC News in Badakhshoni Kuhi Region Kurbon Alamshoev addressed to the press service of the regional Hukumat to be accredited to meet with representative delegation of international organizations. But there, journalist was told that they were not authorized to accredit him. After that, K. Alamshoev appealed to several other Hukumat departments but nobody could exactly answer his question. According to Alamshoev, it becomes unclear, either Hukumat feigned that they were not authorized to accredit or they just did not intend to permit certain journalists to a meeting. It should be noted that it was not the first time when journalists were not permitted to such meetings and had to receive information from unofficial sources. Journalists of Badakhshan Newspaper also complained about this event, who earlier could not receive accreditation for the ceremony of opening of the road between Tajikistan and China.

COMMENTARY

4. Violation of legislation on citizens’ appeals

June 27

Salima Vahobzade (Dushanbe City)

Correspondent of VID weekly Salima Vahobzade sent a request to the head of Tajik President’s Office to answer a few questions of readers about the amount of salary of the officers of Tajik President’s Office. The letter was sent on 25 May 2004, but since that she received no official response.

COMMENTARY

Mukhtor Bokizoda (Dushanbe City)

On 7 June 2004 Mukhtor Bokizoda, a chief editor of independent newspaper Nerui Sukhan was invited to talk with Dodarjon Maksudov, deputy of General Prosecutor. The chief editor informed the monitoring service that officers of the prosecutor’s office were interested in procedures of receiving letters and citizens’ appeals to Nerui Sukhan editorial board. Also officers of prosecutor’s office asked him about all critical materials about authorities’ actions.

COMMENTARY

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS, INCRIMINATED TO MASS MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS  (up)

1. Charges with incorrect publication

June 5

Ruzi Nav Weekly (New Day) (Dushanbe City)