DUSHANBE, August 13, Asia-Plus – Ferghana.ru – Website of the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (CJES) says the Tajik Journalists’ Union chairman Akbar Sattorov, the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit) head Nouriddin Qarshiboyev, the CJES head Oleg Panfilov and a number of other known journalists issued on August 10 an open letter to President Emomali Rahmon noting that amendments to Tajikistan’s Criminal Code that designate the circulation of slander or offensive language via the Internet a criminal offense are in contrary to the country’s Constitution, according to Ferghana.ru.
This document has already been approved by Tajikistan’s parliament and sent for signing to the head of state. If Tajikistan adopts this law it takes the risk of getting to one row with those countries that violating principles of freedom of speech, restricting it on the Internet, the letter said.
“Intention of lawmakers to consider the Internet as mass media is in contrary to provisions of the Constitution, especially Article 30, which declares freedom of speech and prohibits censorship. Besides, we are seriously concerned over strengthening of a role of the Criminal Code in pressing freedom of speech, while international organizations, including OSCE, call to give up application of the Criminal Code as a mechanism to punish journalists,” the letter said.
The bill must be signed off by President Emomali Rahmon before becoming law. A group of journalists having signed the letter called on the president not to sign this draft law.
We will recall that Tajikistan”s parliament in July approved legislation making it a criminal offence to publish false or offensive information on the Internet. Under the proposal, anyone who publishes statements that “offend dignity” may face imprisonment. Human rights groups have criticized Tajik authorities for using legislation against slandering the president to restrict political debate. According to them, in practice, the defamation provisions are often applied not only to factually false attacks on reputation, but when the media criticizes politicians.
