Internet service providers (ISPs) shrug their shoulders an here is no official information from the communications service agency.
Access to the popular in Tajikistan online social networking services – Facebook, Instagram, VK, and Odnoklassniki – has been blocked Thursday (January 3) afternoon. Meanwhile, some messengers are currently operating irregularly.
Some ISPs confirmed that there are problems with access to social networks and some news websites. But they note that the irregularities have taken place for reasons beyond their control.
We have still failed to get an official comment on the situation from the communications service agency.
Over the past half-year, access to social networks and news websites has been periodically blocked. Thus, access to websites of Asia-Plus and Radio Ozodi has been blocked for already several weeks.
Recall, the Embassies of the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United States in Dushanbe, and the EU Delegation to Tajikistan last month expressed their common concern over the periodic blockage of news sites, including Asia-Plus and Radio Ozodi, as well as social media sites.
In a statement released on December 10, they, in particular, said, “We believe that the right of individuals to express their views freely is universal, whether exercised in a public square or on the internet.”
“We urge the government of Tajikistan to provide for press freedom in accordance with Tajikistan’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We believe that Tajikistan’s long-term prosperity, security, and stability require the government’s full commitment to protecting freedom of speech, mass media freedom, and the right of journalists to work without fear of censorship or reprisal. Furthermore, access to fast and affordable internet is essential for any country’s economic development,” the statement said.
Usually, blockage of news websites and social media sites comes in response to tension in any part of the country. The current wave of blocking is probably connected with detention of the brother of one of informal leaders of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in Khorog.
