Latest news with #Rahmon
United News of India
3 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Chinese delegation visits Tajikistan for international conference on Glacier's Preservation
Beijing/Dushanbe, June 1 (UNI) A Chinese delegation visited Tajikistan from Friday to Saturday and attended the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation. The delegation was headed by Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairperson of the Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), who met Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, held talks with Faizali Idizoda, speaker of the lower house of the parliament, and attended the unveiling ceremony of the Health Express China-Tajikstan Blindness Prevention Center. Conveying Chinese President Xi Jinping's greetings to Rahmon, Shen said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Tajikistan in the new era has maintained good momentum for growth. China is willing to work with Tajikistan to follow through on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and push for solid progress in building a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future, she said. Depicting China as a proactive participant and contributor in global ecological governance and glaciers' preservation, Shen voiced China's readiness to work with all parties to fulfill common but differentiated responsibilities, so as to build a clean and beautiful world. Asking Shen to extend his sincere greetings to Xi, Rahmon reiterated that Tajikistan actively participates in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and firmly supports the three major global initiatives proposed by Xi, and pledged joint efforts to build the China-Central Asia mechanism. He also voiced willingness to work with China to deepen cooperation in various fields and international collaboration on issues including addressing climate change. UNI/XINHUA ANV SSP
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Korea Herald
18-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Contribution] Tajik-Kyrgyz border resolution: unique in today's geopolitical climate
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's state visit to Kyrgyzstan marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations, as it has led to the signing of 16 agreements across various sectors, including a landmark treaty resolving the long-standing state border issue. This diplomatic breakthrough highlights the commitment of both nations to peaceful coexistence and regional stability. During the visit, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a joint statement reinforcing friendship and good-neighborly ties. The resolution of border disputes represents a significant step toward lasting peace and serves as a catalyst for deeper cooperation and regional integration. This development underscores the diplomatic foresight of both leaders, Emomali Rahmon and Sadir Japarov, who have prioritized trust building and constructive engagement. The 2025 state visit of President Rahmon to Kyrgyzstan was a major diplomatic success, leading to the full resolution of border issues and strengthening bilateral ties. Among the key achievements were the reopening of border crossings, the restoration of direct flights, the increase in trade and travel, enhanced transit cooperation, revived economic relations, acceleration of the CASA-1000 energy project and expanded collaboration in culture, security and other areas. This visit reaffirmed Tajikistan's leadership in foreign policy and deepened regional integration. The leadership of Rahmon and Japarov has significantly bolstered Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan relations, fostering friendship, trust, and regional cooperation. The border resolution stands as a symbol of mutual trust and a major step toward regional integration and security. Both nations have demonstrated to the international community that diplomacy remains the most effective means of resolving disputes, showcasing peace, coexistence and good-neighborliness in a remarkably short time. In a world marked by conflict and distrust, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have set a unique diplomatic precedent by peacefully resolving their border dispute. Their approach, based on mutual concessions, good will and shared interests, reflects a historic shift in international relations. Instead of adhering to the conventional notion that alliances shift over time, they embraced the principle that "friends are permanent, and interests are common." This achievement is a strategic success for national development and a model for peaceful conflict resolution globally. The peaceful resolution of the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border dispute is a significant diplomatic accomplishment, achieved without third-party mediation. Unlike many international negotiations that stall due to external influences, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan independently arrived at a mutually beneficial solution aligned with their national interests. Their success highlights key values such as humanism, political awareness, peacebuilding and diplomacy, demonstrating their commitment to fostering good-neighborly relations. The historic state visit of President Rahmon further cements the foundation for enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation, offering optimism for the future. The landmark visit has strengthened Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan relations, fostering stability and regional cooperation. By resolving their border dispute, the two nations have set a global example of successful diplomacy, earning international recognition and enhancing their global standing. Their approach promotes unity, integration and sustainable development in Central Asia, showcasing the power of peaceful negotiations in today's complex world.
Voice of America
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
China falsely frames elections in Tajikistan as democratic, inclusive
Tajikistan, the poorest country in Central Asia and bordering Afghanistan, held parliamentary elections on March 2. The country has been under the rule of Emomali Rahmon, a former Soviet Union Communist Party official, since 1992. Rahmon's party, the People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan, claimed victory in the elections, securing 49 of the 63 parliamentary seats. The election was marred by a significant lack of international oversight, with Western observers effectively barred from monitoring the vote. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional group led by China and Russia, declared the elections 'transparent, credible, and democratic,' with Beijing echoing the same sentiments, praising the election as democratic, open, transparent, and inclusive. However, these claims are false and do not align with the reality on the ground. Lack of political competition Tajikistan's elections offered no real political competition. All six parties that participated are aligned with Rahmon. Over the past three decades, Rahmon has systematically eradicated political opposition, creating a state-run political landscape dominated by his supporters. His government has also cultivated a strong personality cult around him, effectively stifling any dissent. Freedom House, a prominent human rights watchdog, ranks the Tajik government as one of the most authoritarian regimes in the world. Rahmon's son, Rustam Emomali, chairs the upper house of parliament, and analysts predict that this sets the stage for a dynastic succession, further entrenching the regime's power. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee, based in Oslo, describes Tajikistan's parliament as a "rubber-stamp body," devoid of any real legislative authority. Since the government banned the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan in 2015, the country's political opposition has been decimated. The Social Democratic Party (SDP), another opposition group, has failed to secure any parliamentary seats since its formation in 2002, and its leaders have faced persecution. Repression of opposition and media After the death of SDP leader Rakhmatillo Zoiirov in May 2024, his deputy Shokirjon Khakimov and several other politicians were detained on charges of plotting to overthrow the government. Khakimov was sentenced to 18 years in prison in February, with seven other alleged conspirators receiving sentences of up to 28 years. Khakimov's niece, journalist Ruhshona Khakimova, was also sentenced to 18 years in prison under secretive circumstances, with the charges against her remaining undisclosed. Voice of America's sister organization, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), reported in February that the Tajik government has been arresting and imprisoning anyone perceived as a threat to its rule for nearly a decade. Many of these individuals are convicted in closed trials, with their cases treated as state secrets, making it impossible for the public to know what evidence was used against them. Election oversight: Lack of transparency The government ensured the election results could not be independently verified. For the first time since 2000, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) canceled its monitoring mission, citing concerns over the lack of assurance that international observers would be accredited. OSCE also pointed out the absence of non-partisan citizen observation, as well as the general lack of civil society organizations capable of independently assessing Tajikistan's democratic processes. Steve Swerdlow, a human rights expert focused on Central Asia, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, locally known as Radio Azattyk, that the absence of OSCE observers was an unprecedented move that signaled increasing authoritarianism and a shift toward a more 'despotic' regime under Rahmon. Additionally, the Tajik government banned Radio Ozodi, the Tajik-language service of RFE/RL, from covering the elections. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) named Radio Ozodi the last remaining independent media outlet in Tajikistan, and their increasing persecution underscores the dire media environment. RSF ranked Tajikistan 155th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index. Despite these restrictions, some regional media outlets reported irregularities suggesting potential voter fraud. Azda TV, citing anonymous witnesses, reported that sick individuals were coerced into voting for the ruling party. Another witness claimed to have seen a person bringing in a stack of passports to vote on behalf of others. Conclusion: A flawed election The absence of independent media or monitors left Tajikistan's election results unverified. Rahmon's sustained crackdown on political opposition, media freedoms, and civil liberties undermines the possibility of holding free, fair, and transparent elections. Given these conditions, the legitimacy of the election remains highly questionable.
