November 1999 Vol. 11, No. 14 (D)

TAJIKISTAN

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION STILL THREATENED

SUMMARY 2

RECOMMENDATIONS 3

POLITICAL BACKGROUND 5

Non-UTO Political Parties 6

AN OVERVIEW OF THE MEDIA IN TAJIKISTAN 7

Print Media 7
Broadcast and Electronic Media 9
Economic Conditions 10
Professional Standards 10

The Role of International Actors 11

VIOLENCE IN TAJIKISTAN 11

Violence Against Journalists 12
Abductions 14

VIOLATIONS OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 15

Introduction 15

INTIMIDATION OF AND THREATS AGAINST JOURNALISTS 17

Junbish 18
Istiqlol and Samar 19
TV SM-1 20
Surush 20
Journalists Outside of Tajikistan 21

CENSORSHIP AND OTHER INFORMATION CONTROL 22

Censorship 22
Monitoring and "Counselling" by Authorities 24
Physical Removal of Papers from Distribution 25
Arbitrary Denial of Permission to Print 25

Undue Burdens on Licensing 27
Revocation of Accreditation 28

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 30