The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has called on the Tajikistan’s authorities to secure full Internet reconnection for residents of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), who have been living without access to the Internet since mass anti-government protests in November.
In a tweet on March 16, the Embassy expressed concerns about the lack of Internet access in the region's capital, Khorog, and adjacent districts.
"The U.S. Embassy remains concerned about Internet blockage in GBAO which impacts the ability of residents to access information, run businesses, and exercise freedom of expression. We call on Tajikistan to respect this fundamental freedom, and to restore full Internet access," a statement released by the Embassy says.
Access to Internet was cut off in the GBAO on November 25 after several thousand people occupied a central square in Khorog in a demand for justice and thorough investigation in the killing by security forces of a local young man wanted on charges of kidnapping.
Protests in different parts of Tajikistan usually lead to internet restrictions. Last year’s incident in Khorog has left residents of the region unable to access online content.
The law enforcement authorities in the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region say the Internet was cut off in the region because they allegedly fear that certain groups staying in Europe could incite the region’s population to new conflicts.
