KHUJAND, October 25, 2012, Asia-Plus – A court in the northern city of Khujand, the capital of Sughd province has shut down a human rights group, saying it operated without a proper license.
In a ruling handed down on October 24, the Khujand city court shut down the Association of Young Lawyers, Amparo.
Junayd Ibodov, a lawyer for Amparo, denounced the ruling and vowed to lodge an appeal against it. He considers the court’s decision illegal and unfounded. According to Ibodov, the case is politically motivated. “We do not agree with this decision and intend to lodge an appeal against it,” the lawyer said.
Meanwhile, Amparo chairperson, Ms. Dilrabo Samadova, noted that she hoped for justice and independence of the judicial system. “Unfortunately, we once again became witnesses of dependence of the judicial system, but we are not going to surrender and we will not stop our human rights activities,” she stated.
Tajikistan”s Justice Ministry filed a lawsuit against Amparo, saying it failed to timely show its address change at the ministry.
Founded in 2005 by a group of young tajik lawyers, Amparo was reregistered with the inistry of Justice in 2007. It monitors human rights violations, torture allegations, and the rights of Tajik Army soldiers. It also helps local citizens to learn more about their rights through conferences and online discussions. The association members include 30 human rights activists, students, journalists, young lawyers.
Amparo is meber of Tajikistan”s Colaition of NGOs against Torture and the CIS Coalition of Public Associations for Protection of Rights of Draftees and Servicemen.
