Open letter

To the Ombudsman of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Umed Bobozoda

Copy to:

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

From the National Committee for the Release of

Political Hostages and Prisoners of Tajikistan (NCRHP)

It is very unfortunate that in Tajikistan, because of political and human rights activities, citizens and their families are persecuted and tortured by the employees of MIA, SCNS, and other institutional authorities.

It has been some time that family and relatives of Abdusattor Boboev, head of NCRHP, who officially works abroad, have been subjected to persecution and torture, including:

1) Abdusattor’s elder brother, Boboev Saidahmad, is being subjected to pressure by the organized crime department (OCD of MIA). Last year (2018) employees of this department took him to a cemetery where his mother is buried and forced him to address his brother (Abdusattor Boboev) and ask him to return to Tajikistan. They threatened Saidahmad that in case of refusing to do so, they would undress his wife, sisters and daughters in front of him. After this incident Saidahmad got blood pressure and diabetes.

2) The other brother of Abdusattor, Boboev Fazliddin, was tortured by the security services employees of Chortut of Rudaki region three days after his mother passed away. As a result of torture, he was not able to walk for several days. These days he is being subjected to psychological pressure by MIA and SCNS employees.

3) Abdusattor’s sister, Boboeva Mohishams, was invited by MIA and SCNS employees several times and was subjected to insults.

4) Abdusattor’s mother, Nuridinova Mamlakat, after the incidents of September 2015, was arrested and interrogated for one day by OCD employees ordered by Devonaev Safialo, then head of OCD. On the following day Abdusattor’s wife, Rahimova Nargis, was arrested for two days and she was asked where her husband lived at that time. After passing through much humiliation and insults and giving certain amount of money as a bribe, she was released.

5) Another brother of Abdusattor, Boboev Saidisok, In November 2015 was arrested for 21 days by OCD employees. He was brutally tortured during this time. According to Saidisok, he was electrocuted four times and was asked to expose his brother’s address. Later they demanded 30 thousand dollars from Saidisok for his release. He was obliged to sell his apartment and give the required amount of money for his release.

The National Committee for the Release of Political Hostages and Prisoners of Tajikistan (NCRHP) demands from the Ombudsman of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Umed Bobozoda, to take measures immediately to take to court those who are involved in these crimes if he regards it his mission to defend citizens’ rights regardless of their belonging to any group or party.

We will be waiting for the results of your actions.

The National Committee for the Release of Political Hostages and Prisoners of Tajikistan (NCRHP)

October 11, 2019

Warsaw, Poland