Statement

The National Committee for the Release of Political Hostages and Prisoners of Tajikistan condemns the actions against Muhammadjon Saidov, son of one of the political activists.

Muhammadjon Saidov is the son of Muhammadzarif Saidov, Tajik political activist and member of IRPT who has been residing in Europe seeking political asylum. Muhammadjon has been kept as a hostage in a special republican school located at Mirzo Tursunzoda street in Dushanbe in an unsafe looking building and managed by the Ministry of Education and Science.

This special republican school is meant for children with bad behaviour. Some children who were involved in various crimes are also kept there appointed by court.

From the information that our committee possesses, unfortunately, Muhammadjon Saidov is kept among children with psychological disorders in that school only because of his father’s political views.

Responsible individuals of this school and government authorities in Rudaki region have acknowledged many times in their talks to Muhammadjon’s family that the reason for keeping Muhammadjon away from family is his father’s political views. This action of authorities goes against the Constitution of the country and its international human rights obligations.

The article 6 of administrative law violation code of the constitution guarantees equality before law, justice, inevitability of punishment, and humaneness. But unfortunately, Muhammadjon is deprived from these principles and rights that Constitution guarantees.

At the same time, authorities in Rudaki region and in the Ministry of Education and Science violate at least 7 protocols of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Therefore, if government authorities continue physical torture against Muhammadjon and deprive him from his constitutional rights, NCRHP will send a complaint to the appropriate United Nations committee on the Rights of the Child.

Sincerely,

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

December 30, 2019

Warsaw, Poland