Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Tajikistan

Tajiks Block Five Russian-Language Websites

(AFP)

DUSHANBE, October 9, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Media representatives in Tajikistan say authorities have reportedly blocked access to five Russian-language information websites, saying they are harmful to state security.

TEXT SIZE - +

October 09, 2006

The five online publications reportedly include arianastorm.com, centrasia.org, charogiruz.ru, ferghana.ru, and tajikistantimes.ru. Three of them have their offices in Moscow.

Nuriddin Qarshiboev, the president of Tajikistan's National Association of Independent Media, told RFE/RL's Tajik Service he believes the government's decision is political.

"I believe this is linked to the ongoing campaign for the presidential election," he said. "By doing this the government is trying to limit access to alternatives sources of information for Internet users. The fact is that these five websites...have not only been giving official viewpoints, but also offering alternative sources of information."

In a letter sent to Tajikistan's 12 Internet providers on October 7, the state information-regulation agency asks them to search through and close websites that "aim to undermine the government's policies in the sphere of information."

Rights groups have accused incumbent President Imomali Rakhmonov of restricting media freedom ahead of the November 6 election.

The opposition Democratic Party on October 5 accused the authorities of trying to prevent the publication of its "Adolat" newspaper. The government has denied any wrongdoing.

(with ferghana.ru and Avesta)

Tajikistan's Presidential Election

Imomali Rakhmonov has ruled Tajikistan since 1992 (epa file photo)

A THIRD TERM? On November 6, Tajikistan will hold its first presidential election since 1999. Incumbent President Imomali Rakhmonov is seeking a third term under controversial constitutional amendments adopted in 2003. The opposition has accused Rakhmonov's administration of using dirty tricks and legal pressure to split and weaken opposition parties. Most observers believe the November ballot will be less competitive than the 1999 election.

Islamic Party Opts Out Of Presidential Vote

Opposition Disorganized As Presidential Election Nears

Lone Islamic Party Pursues Dual Path To Challenge Incumbent

Fractured Opposition Faces Uphill Battle Before Election

ARCHIVE

RFE/RL's coverage of Tajikistan. An RFE/RL web special on Tajikistan's 2005 legislative elections.

For weekly news and analysis on all five Central Asian countries by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Central Asia Report."

Attack Of The Cloned Websites...This Time In Uzbekistan

A website has been set up to mirror the site of RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, in what could be a phishing scheme to harvest user information. More

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Production and distribution of rap music is not officially banned, but it

Yo! Turkmen Rappers Flip The Script On Repression

For a growing number of Turkmen youth, rap music has become a way to express their daily struggles and inspire political change in one of the world's most oppressive countries. More