In a controversial move, Germany has deported a Tajik anti-government activist to Dushanbe, raising alarm among human rights groups and opposition politicians who fear that he may face torture and imprisonment upon his return to Tajikistan.
Following his deportation from Austria, Hizbullo Shovaliev was sentenced to an alarming 20 years in prison, further highlighting the potential repercussions for exiled activists.
In a troubling development, a Tajik court recently sentenced Farrukh Ikromov to a staggering 23 years in prison after his deportation from Poland, as reported by Tajik opposition officials to RFE/RL. The trial for Ikromov was conducted behind closed doors, keeping the charges against him shrouded in secrecy. Observers believe he was targeted due to his involvement in a protest in Berlin earlier in 2023, during which Tajik opposition supporters threw eggs at President Emomali Rahmon’s car, protesting his visit to Germany.
In addition to these cases, 2023 also saw Germany deporting two Tajik nationals, Bilol Qurbonaliev and Abdullo Shamsiddin, who both faced severe sentences of 10 and seven years in prison upon their return to Tajikistan, respectively. Their trials were also held in secretive settings. Qurbonaliev, a known member of the opposition group Group 24, was found guilty of the dubious charge of organizing a criminal group—a claim his supporters vehemently argue is “illegal” and politically motivated. Similarly, Shamsiddin, the son of prominent opposition figure Shamsiddin Saidov, faced grave charges of attempting to overthrow the government, which his supporters contest. Reports of abuse endured during his custody have further exacerbated concerns around the treatment of political prisoners in Tajikistan.
In a startling incident from 2020, Austrian authorities extradited Tajik asylum seeker Hizbullo Shovalizoda back to Tajikistan following a direct request from Dushanbe. Merely three months after his return, he was convicted of treason and associated with a banned organization, receiving a heavy 20-year prison sentence. His supporters have resolutely denied all charges against him.
Chilling Message
The recent deportation of Ergashev to Dushanbe has sent shockwaves through the community of Tajik political asylum seekers across Europe, who now fear that they could suffer a similar fate amidst a growing wave of anti-migrant sentiment in Western nations. One asylum seeker, speaking anonymously, shared, “Every time I hear about a Tajik national being deported, I fear that I will be next.” This sentiment was echoed by another individual who reflected on his time in a camp filled with asylum seekers, asserting, “I think most of them were economic migrants. These waves of migrants coming to Europe are negatively affecting those who are genuinely seeking asylum on political grounds.”
Reports have also surfaced concerning the alleged abduction of two Group 24 activists, Suhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov, who were reportedly “kidnapped” by Tajik authorities while in Turkey. The opposition claims the Tajik government is directly involved in their disappearance.
Sharofiddin Gadoev, the leader of the Reform and Development movement, has expressed that such deportation cases convey a troubling message to individuals who dare to resist the Tajik government, both domestically and internationally. He remarked, “Such actions by Germany contribute to the strengthening of the authoritarian regime in Tajikistan and create a climate of fear among political activists,” further underscoring the precarious situation faced by those opposing the regime in Tajikistan.
Written by Farangis Najibullah in Prague based on reporting by Mirzonabi Kholiqzod of RFE/RL’s Tajik Service.
**Interview with Dr. Alina Zhabina, a Human Rights Advocate and Tajikistan Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Zhabina. In light of recent events, including the deportation of Hizbullo Shovaliev from Germany, what is the current climate for Tajik activists seeking asylum in Europe?
**Dr. Zhabina:** Thank you for having me. The recent deportations of Tajik activists have indeed created a chilling atmosphere for those seeking refuge in Europe. Activists are increasingly fearful that their safety cannot be guaranteed, especially given the harsh sentences handed down upon their return to Tajikistan. The cases of Shovaliev and Farrukh Ikromov are particularly alarming, as they underline how exiled activists are being targeted for their political beliefs.
**Interviewer:** Can you elaborate on the implications of these deportations? What risks do deported activists face upon their return?
**Dr. Zhabina:** Certainly. When activists are deported back to Tajikistan, they often face severe repercussions, including torture, long prison sentences, and even fabricated charges. For instance, Ikromov received a 23-year sentence under circumstances shrouded in secrecy, likely as payback for demonstrating against President Rahmon. These cases are emblematic of a broader pattern aimed at silencing dissent and instilling fear among the Tajik diaspora.
**Interviewer:** How have human rights organizations responded to these deportations?
**Dr. Zhabina:** Human rights organizations have vehemently condemned these actions. Many groups have called on European countries to reconsider their policies regarding deportations and to provide better protection for political asylum seekers from totalitarian regimes like Tajikistan. They argue that cooperation with such regimes compromises the core values of human rights and democracy that Europe stands for.
**Interviewer:** What can be done to protect Tajik activists abroad?
**Dr. Zhabina:** Governments need to implement more robust asylum policies that take into account the risks faced by political dissidents. This includes providing legal assistance, creating safe pathways for asylum applications, and ensuring that deportations do not occur without thorough consideration of the individual’s situation. Additionally, international advocacy and pressure against Tajik authorities are necessary to deter the harassment and persecution of dissidents.
**Interviewer:** what message do you think the actions of European countries send to both the Tajik government and activists?
**Dr. Zhabina:** The actions taken by countries like Germany send a troubling message to the Tajik government, suggesting that they can act with impunity against their own citizens abroad. Simultaneously, it disheartens activists, reinforcing the notion that they may not be safe even in nations that tout themselves as protectors of human rights. The international community must strive to demonstrate solidarity with these activists to counteract this narrative.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Zhabina, for your insights on this pressing issue.
**Dr. Zhabina:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep raising awareness about these injustices.
